A former employee of YouTube sensation Jimmy ‘MrBeast’ Donaldson has come forward, shedding light on the challenges of working with the internet superstar and suggesting that Donaldson’s “invincible” mindset may be leading to significant issues.
As the most-subscribed creator on YouTube, MrBeast has built his empire on high-stakes challenges, mind-blowing cash giveaways, and larger-than-life viral content. However, 2024 has proven to be a tumultuous year for Donaldson, marked by several controversies that have placed his brand under scrutiny. The troubles began when former collaborator Ava Kris Tyson faced allegations, leading to public backlash. Since then, the creator has been hit with multiple lawsuits, including accusations regarding the harsh working conditions during the production of his $100 million Amazon show, Beast Games, which aims to be the largest game show ever produced.
In a recent interview with Polygon, former MrBeast employee Trey Yates shared his insights into what might be driving these problems. Yates believes that Donaldson’s unstoppable attitude—while key to his rise—could be at the heart of the growing criticism. Yates explained, “For years, Jimmy felt like he was invincible. What we’re seeing now is the repercussions of him thinking that way. In his YouTube bubble, he could get away with that as his target audience was children… If he wants to continue to scale up, he can’t just say and do ‘whatever the f*ck we want’ anymore.”
This mentality is evident in MrBeast’s internal communications, such as a leaked PDF document that offered a glimpse into the way he runs his business. In the document, a section titled “No Does Not Mean No” outlined how MrBeast employees should push beyond initial rejections. One example highlighted that if they wanted to buy out everything in a store and were refused permission to film, they should persist, as the first ‘no’ shouldn’t be accepted.
Yates, who was dismissed from MrBeast’s company after refusing to work extended hours—choosing to prioritize attending the birth of a relative—also touched on his personal reasons for stepping away. He is not alone in voicing his concerns, as other former employees, including content creator DogPack, have released videos criticizing the working environment under MrBeast’s leadership.
So far, Jimmy Donaldson has remained relatively quiet regarding the growing controversies, aside from publicly supporting his latest venture, Lunchly, and distancing himself from Ava Kris Tyson earlier in the year. However, with more former employees coming forward, the YouTuber may soon need to address these issues directly to safeguard his brand’s reputation.