Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, runs the world's most subscribed YouTube channel with 484 million subscribers and an estimated net worth of US$2.6 billion. His philanthropic efforts include #TeamTrees, which has planted over 24 million trees, and his Beast Philanthropy channel, which funds cataract surgeries, a medical clinic for rescued children, and wells in Africa. However, his methods have drawn criticism.
Many of Donaldson's videos involve contestants in degrading or exploitative situations for money. In one video, participants aged 1 to 100 compete for $250,000, with a grown man eliminating an 11-year-old girl, causing her to sob. Another video traps shoppers in a store for a cash prize, leading to emotional breakdowns. Critics label these as 'poverty porn', exploiting vulnerable people for clicks.
The Beast Games series on Prime Video features challenges that provoke backstabbing and emotional distress. In 2024, contestants sued Donaldson's companies, alleging chronic mistreatment, emotional distress, inadequate food and rest, delayed medication, dangerous conditions, and failure to prevent sexual harassment. A former employee also sued for sexual harassment and gender bias.
From a consequentialist perspective, the good from his philanthropy might outweigh the harm. But philosopher Immanuel Kant argued it is wrong to use people as mere means, even for admirable ends. Motives also matter: helping from duty has moral worth, while self-interest does not. Donaldson's motives—whether duty or clicks—are unclear, but his philanthropy makes his exploitative videos more palatable.
Donaldson could simply give money away without making people suffer. While participants consent, their economic vulnerability undermines the validity of that consent.
