MrBeast, known as Jimmy Donaldson, is an American YouTuber known for his extravagant videos. He grew up in Greenville, North Carolina, and continues to operate from there. At this time, he is the 5th most subscribed channel in the world, and continues to gain subscribers at an astounding rate.
Jimmy started posting YouTube videos when he was 13 years old, quickly becoming obsessed with posting videos online. It took him over 1000 videos until he finally found real success with his first viral video, “I Counted to 100,000!” [1]
MrBeast used the momentum from the video’s success and quickly started to pump out more videos, each one getting increasingly extravagant and expensive. To date, he has given away millions of dollars, a private island, hundreds of cars, and more.
Apart from his main channel, the MrBeast brand has expanded into several more channels and industries. He has started a snack brand called Feastables, and a national burger chain called MrBeast Burger.
The creator’s total business valuation is set to be at $1.5 billion, marking an immense milestone not only in his career, but in the creator economy as a whole.[2]
Christian Critic
MrBeast grew up Christian, with him referencing Bible verses throughout his early days on YouTube. However, he has now shifted to an agnostic belief after some questionable experiences in his childhood and new realizations.
Here is an excerpt from an interview MrBeast did with the Rolling Stone:
Donaldson attended a small private school, Greenville Christian Academy, where boys were given demerits for wearing their hair too long and forced to copy Bible verses as punishment. He says he used to be observant — “You have it beat into your head every day” — but long questioned the church’s stance on issues like homosexuality, and has since pivoted to identifying as agnostic. “It’s such a sensitive topic for so many people around here,” he says. “I believe there is a God, but there are so many different religions and so many people who believe passionately about these things. It’s hard to know which [religion] is right.”[3]
MrBeast for President
MrBeast has stayed away from politics for all his career. Only recently has he made comments about potentially running for president, although he didn’t state which party he would run for.
While on a podcast called Flagrant, hosted by comedian Andrew Schultz, MrBeast made the following remarks:
I think we’re due for younger presidents. I’m tired of them always being in their 70s… I want to try to make a ton of money and then just like give it all away right before I announce my campaign. Imagine I have like $10 billion and then I just give it all away and I’m just like ‘I can’t be bought.’ That’s pretty powerful… Instead of like giving into lobbyists or agendas, I just like do whatever’s good for the American people. It sounds like it would be a good idea.[4]
A YouTuber may be a future president. It sounds crazy, but we do live in a crazy world.