MrBeast Defends Trapping Man in Burning Building For YouTube Video
MrBeast’s latest viral video titled "Would You Risk Dying for $500,000?", has sparked controversy after showing a stuntman escaping a burning building while collecting bags of cash. The YouTuber, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, was hit with criticism online for what some called a "dystopian" and "dangerous" spectacle. In the video, the stuntman grabs multiple duffel bags—each worth thousands—while flames engulf the set, with his shoes even catching fire by the end.
Donaldson, who has over 440 million subscribers, responded swiftly to the backlash, assuring viewers that the man featured was a trained professional and that safety was a top priority. "We had professionals test this extensively," he said. "The guy in the video as stated is a professional stunt man. I take safety more serious than you could ever imagine." He also explained that the team had smoke ventilation, kill switches for the fire, and multiple fire suppression systems on standby—none of which were ultimately needed.
Despite the concerns, the video has already racked up tens of millions of views. And while some labeled it irresponsible, others defended the content as clearly staged and heavily managed. As MrBeast put it on social media, “Just wanted to be transparent with you all since I saw some concern!”
