Is YouTube’s Biggest Star About to Be Fired?

MrBeast has long been the crown jewel of YouTube. But now his reputation is on the line.

Jimmy Donaldson, better known by his pseudonym, is currently in the throes of a wave of scandals that threatens to undo years of hard work and goodwill. Through massive viral campaigns (usually tempered by an element of philanthropy) and a rigorous grasp of what makes people click, Donaldson has built an empire that extends far beyond the digital screen, with his own line of burgers and chocolate bars cementing his status as a conquering entrepreneur.

(Donaldson’s silence) speaks volumes. For someone whose brand is built entirely on transparency, generosity and goodwill, this lack of communication feels like a betrayal.

He has also become a symbol of charity in the digital age, with initiatives like Team Trees and Team Seas portraying him as the internet’s unassailable good guy. His propensity for handing out money, cars and candy while planting trees, building hospitals and restoring sight to the blind has made him a cross between Mother Teresa and Willy Wonka.

Yet even the brightest stars can fall, and MrBeast’s Icarus-like demise was nothing short of brutal.

The first cracks appeared last month when “Ava” Kris Tyson, a prominent figure on Donaldson’s YouTube channel (309 million subscribers), made headlines for the wrong reasons. After an alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor was discovered, Tyson, who came out as a transgender woman last year, was heavily criticized online for manipulating her image. At first, Donaldson defended Tyson, a close childhood friend. But as criticism intensified, Tyson left the show.

Things got even worse a few weeks later when a former employee known as DogPack404 posted a provocative video accusing Donaldson of staging content and orchestrating fake giveaways. It was DogPack’s first video on YouTube, and it quickly garnered millions of views and tens of thousands of comments.

If his first video was convincing, his second was absolutely shocking. Earlier this month, a former MrBeast associate named Jake Weddle claimed to DogPack that the MrBeast collaborator known as Delaware—who has appeared in several videos wearing a mask—was a registered sex offender. Unsurprisingly, the video quickly went viral. At the time of writing, it has been viewed nearly 10 million times.

Weddle claimed that Donaldson was well aware of Delaware’s past and that his mask was less of a fun quirk than a necessary disguise. As Weddle noted, “They covered up the fact that not only did he work there, but he was the manager when it all started. And you know he knew that because he’ll be in videos. He’ll be in vignettes. He’ll be there. And every time he’s there, he’ll be wearing a mask.”

“Why would you wear a mask?” Weddle asked, visibly furious. “Why would you hide your face? What are you hiding?”

As the scandal unfolded, fellow YouTuber Rosanna Pansino added fuel to the fire by accusing Donaldson of hiring private investigators to dig up information about those who reported him. Pansino alleged that people were offered money to fabricate stories about her and others, further eroding the trust that remained in MrBeast’s camp.

Donaldson’s silence is deafening, with his only public statement being announcing an independent investigation into Tyson’s online behavior. His reluctance to address the most serious allegations, however, speaks volumes. For someone whose brand is built entirely on transparency, generosity, and goodwill, this lack of communication feels like a betrayal.

And the scandals don’t stop there. MrBeast’s high-stakes contests and sweepstakes, which have long been a hallmark of his channel, are now also under scrutiny. Allegations of rigging and abuse of nondisclosure agreements have surfaced, raising questions about the fairness and legality of these contests. Again, for a creator whose content is primarily aimed at young people, many of whom are minors, these allegations are particularly troubling. The predatory behavior appears to have manifested itself in a number of ways.

Uncertainty is growing around “Beast Games,” the TV show that was supposed to be Donaldson’s next big thing. Participants have alleged that Donaldson’s production team created unsafe working conditions during filming. They have reported inadequate nutrition and medical care, with some even suffering severe sleep deprivation and physical injuries. A recent New York Times article appears to corroborate these allegations, adding weight to these troubling claims.

The future of the series, as well as Donaldson’s reputation, is now on the line. In retrospect, as more and more disturbing details come to light, MrBeast likely regrets his choice of name. A moniker that once reflected strength and determination has taken on a much darker meaning. The Beast, it seems, is about to be tamed – and perhaps even killed.