Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, one of YouTube’s most prominent figures, is currently facing backlash over resurfaced controversial comments and allegations against a former collaborator. 

The Associated Press (AP) reports on recent clips from 2017 showing Donaldson using offensive language during gaming streams. 

In one instance, he made a disturbing comment to a viewer’s comment about selling Black people: “The most I would pay is probably 300.” He reportedly also used homophobic slurs multiple times.

A separate 2017 podcast clip featured Donaldson making inappropriate comments about then-14-year-old rapper Bhad Bhabie. The video was removed for violating community guidelines. 

Podcast co-host Leon Lush later defended Donaldson, stating he had clarified his comments and was attempting edgy humor.

Rosanna Pansino, a YouTube influencer who has worked with Donaldson, brought attention to these clips. She told AP that Donaldson’s early content was not always family-friendly.

Allegations Against Collaborator and Mr. Beast’s Response

Simultaneously, allegations have emerged against Ava Kris Tyson, a longtime MrBeast collaborator. 

Online accusations suggest that Tyson interacted inappropriately with minors online, including discussions about nude images and anime pornography with an underage fan. 

Tyson announced her departure from “all things MrBeast and social media” on July 23.

Donaldson responded on July 24, stating he was “disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts” and is hiring independent investigators to investigate the allegations.

Further controversy arose when a former employee claimed that Donaldson rigged contests in his videos and ran illegal lotteries. 

Chucky Appleby, co-founder of YouTube analytics platform ViewStats alongside Donaldson, denied these accusations, stating that hiding scripted segments would have been impossible given the number of people involved in the productions.

Resurfaced Comments and Evolving Content

Donaldson’s content has evolved from gaming to philanthropic acts, often featuring extravagant giveaways and challenges. 

His recent videos, such as “Ages 1 – 100 Decide Who Wins $250,000” and “I Built 100 Houses And Gave Them Away!” consistently garner over 100 million views each.

Matthew Wade, a sociology lecturer at La Trobe University, notes that while Donaldson’s Beast Philanthropy has established partnerships with esteemed organizations, the accumulation of controversies may impact these relationships. 

“Charities and philanthropic foundations cannot gamble with their reputations,” Wade told AP. They must be seen as above reproach, and the steady accumulation of controversies around the MrBeast brand may too easily tarnish their own pristine glow.”

“When Jimmy was a teenager, he acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny,” a spokesperson for Donaldson told AP, acknowledging his past behavior.

The statement adds that the YouTuber has “repeatedly apologized and has learned that increasing influence comes with increased responsibility to be more aware and more sensitive to the power of language.”

Donaldson, who boasts 307 million subscribers, has built a content empire valued at an estimated $700 million.