Reporting To YouSign InSign InAbout UsGot A Tip?buzzfeed.comCelebrityYouTube

YouTuber MrBeast Hit Back After Being Accused Of “Exploiting Poor People’s Problems For Views” In His Latest Video Paying For The Surgeries Of 1,000 Blind People

MrBeast has responded after several people accused him of being “performative” and capitalizing on philanthropy.

xw3A6mnyX_large.jpg?crop=499%25253A498%25253B-1%25252C22&downsize=60:*&output-format=jpg&output-quality=auto

by Leyla Mohammed

BuzzFeed News Staff

Posted 4 minutes agoTwitterFacebookLink

On Saturday, YouTuber MrBeast uploaded a video where he helped to cure blindness in 1,000 people.

sub-buzz-414-1675175204-3.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto

Roy Rochlin / Getty Images for Youtube

Titled “1,000 Blind People See For The First Time,” the emotional video sees lives shifted as MrBeast — real name Jimmy Donaldson — pays for their cataract removal surgeries.

View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @mrbeast

As explained by an ophthalmologist in the video, half of the blindness in the world is actually curable by this 10-minute surgery, which sadly remains inaccessible and unaffordable for many.

sub-buzz-417-1675175374-4.png?crop=1545%3A921%3B179%2C358&downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto

YouTube

What’s more, the popular YouTuber, who is known for his pretty elaborate videos, also gave out an array of grand prizes, including $10,000 to a select number of patients, $50,000 to a student, and a Tesla.

YouTube

Needless to say, the heartwarming video — which has already gained 59 million views and counting — was met with floods of positive comments from users across the internet.

View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @mrbeast

Several fans thanked MrBeast for his generosity as they credited him with using his platform and wealth for good. “He’s helping so many people and also manages to make all the videos entertaining. Changing the word for better,” one person wrote.

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Nickelodeon

“I think its safe to say that MrBeast is probably the best content creator on the platform right now. Good on him for doing all that he does,” said another. A third user echoed, “Imagine changing the world. Mad respect for this lad.”

View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @mrbeast

Looking back on some of his other philanthropic achievements, which include removing over 30 million pounds of trash from oceans and raising $20 million to plant trees across the globe, many users expressed their gratitude towards MrBeast.

sub-buzz-444-1675175688-1.jpg?crop=2549:2079;129,0

Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images for MrBeast Burger

What’s more, the 24-year-old runs a second YouTube channel called Beast Philanthropy, where all profits from ad revenue, merch sales, and sponsorships goes towards various charitable efforts, including a food pantry that he opened in 2021.

View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @mrbeast

However, after his latest video was released, several people accused MrBeast of capitalizing on philanthropy, claiming his video felt “performative.”

Leo @leoobarf

Hate Mr. Beast n the way his made it normal to capitalize off of philanthropy

02:49 PM - 29 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @leoobarf

“using your money that way is good but the way he publicizes it feels very performative,” one person wrote. “He built a brand off feel good content so it's hard to see any of this as sincere.”

Molly @YoMollyF

It feels performative, using your money that way is good but the way he publicises it feels very performative tbqh. He built a brand off feel good content so it's hard to see any of this as sincere. 1/2 https://t.co/A5FchUVReh

09:40 AM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @YoMollyF

“philanthrocapitalism, he is exploiting poor people's problems for views and money and giving them basic human needs in return, never addressing why they don't have these in the first place,” another said.

cat @dollshojo

philanthrocapitalism, he is exploiting poor people's problems for views and money and giving them basic human needs in return, never addressing why they don't have these in the first place. https://t.co/OsLxypfYhb

12:40 AM - 31 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @dollshojo

“he’s not doing this for the people he’s doing this because ‘i’m mr beast look what i can do,’” a third suggested, while another accused him of doing “poverty tourism for cash.”

chandler ʕ⁠´º⁠ᴥº⁠`⁠ʔﾉ @darlingchandIer

the problem though is that he’s capitalizing off of it and making inspo porn. he’s not doing this for the people he’s doing this because “i’m mr beast look what i can do” https://t.co/XkpgqbjHCB

03:01 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @darlingchandIer

Instead, these users suggested that MrBeast should “educate” his viewers on the systemic issues rooted behind the various issues faced by the individuals in need of help.

comedianww (parody) @comedian_ww

@StokesTheWriter It would be sort of cool if he addressed the systemic issues that cause the problems for individuals that he's helping, don't you think? I don't mean addressed as in "solve", but rather "bring it up and talk about it". Educate while entertaining.

11:17 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @comedian_ww

“philanthropy-based content that shows the problems within our system but doesn't advocate for practical solutions is a little frustrating,” one tweet read. “Mr. Beast, with his platform, could educate so many people on why he even has to do all this philanthropic work.”

antizap @anti_R6

@lGaidenl @alexwilson1895 @Mad__Rodent @Dexerto I mean philanthropy-based content that shows the problems within our system but doesn't advocate for practical solutions is a little frustrating. Mr. Beast, with his platform, could educate so many people on why he even has to do all this philanthropic work.

05:29 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @anti_R6

Others went on to question MrBeast’s intentions as they labeled his “never ending cycle of content creation” as unnerving.

View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @mrbeast

“It’s the never-ending cycle of content creation that makes MrBeast feel insidious. The underlying notion that if the camera wasn’t on to feed the machine, nothing would happen,” one tweet read.

Kristi YamaGuccimane @wapplehouse

It’s the never ending cycle of content creation that makes Mr Beast feel insidious. The underlying notion that if the camera wasn’t on to feed the machine nothing would happen. The dystopian thought we’re reliant on YouTube views instead of competent government for assistance.

03:22 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @wapplehouse

Well, MrBeast actually ended up voicing his thoughts on the systemic issues behind curable blindness, questioning why governments across the world don’t “step in and help.”

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Nickelodeon

“I don’t understand why curable blindness is a thing. Why don’t governments step in and help? Even if you’re thinking purely from a financial standpoint it’s hard to see how they don’t roi on taxes from people being able to work again,” he wrote.

MrBeast @MrBeast

I don’t understand why curable blindness is a thing. Why don’t governments step in and help? Even if you’re thinking purely from a financial standpoint it’s hard to see how they don’t roi on taxes from people being able to work again.

02:14 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @MrBeast

And shortly after, MrBeast addressed the negative comments head on as he responded directly to a now-deleted tweet that said, “The guy does poverty tourism for cash. If he pays a persons medical bills (lottery style) without informing anyone with his platform that it’s fucked he needs to do that – he’s just profiting off his ability to do so.”

View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @mrbeast

MrBeast wrote of the video, “It did raise awareness and get tons of people talking,” before clarifying that he’d not profited off the footage. “Also what profits? The average MrBeast video lost $1,500,000 last year lol,” he wrote.

MrBeast @MrBeast

@theserfstv It did raise awareness and get tons of people talking. Also what profits? The average MrBeast video lost $1,500,000 last year lol

10:57 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @MrBeast

He later followed up, “Twitter - Rich people should help others with their money. Me - Okay, I’ll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny. Twitter - MrBeast bad.”

MrBeast @MrBeast

Twitter - Rich people should help others with their money

Me - Okay, I’ll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny.

Twitter - MrBeast bad

11:03 PM - 30 Jan 2023

Reply Retweet Favorite

Twitter: @MrBeast

Meanwhile, several users defended MrBeast, including fellow content creator KSI, who said that Twitter is full of “sad stupid people.”

ksi @KSI

@MrBeast Twitter is just full of sad stupid people

YouTuber MrBeast Hit Back After Being Accused Of “Exploiting Poor People’s Problems For Views” In His Latest Video Paying For The Surgeries Of 1,000 Blind People

YouTuber MrBeast Hit Back After Being Accused Of “Exploiting Poor People’s Problems For Views” In His Latest Video Paying For The Surgeries Of 1,000 Blind People

On Saturday, YouTuber MrBeast uploaded a video where he helped to cure blindness in 1,000 people.

Titled “1,000 Blind People See For The First Time,” the emotional video sees lives shifted as MrBeast — real name Jimmy Donaldson — pays for their cataract removal surgeries.

As explained by an ophthalmologist in the video, half of the blindness in the world is actually curable by this 10-minute surgery, which sadly remains inaccessible and unaffordable for many.

What’s more, the popular YouTuber, who is known for his pretty elaborate videos, also gave out an array of grand prizes, including $10,000 to a select number of patients, $50,000 to a student, and a Tesla.

Needless to say, the heartwarming video — which has already gained 59 million views and counting — was met with floods of positive comments from users across the internet.

Several fans thanked MrBeast for his generosity as they credited him with using his platform and wealth for good. “He’s helping so many people and also manages to make all the videos entertaining. Changing the word for better,” one person wrote.

“I think its safe to say that MrBeast is probably the best content creator on the platform right now. Good on him for doing all that he does,” said another. A third user echoed, “Imagine changing the world. Mad respect for this lad.”

Looking back on some of his other philanthropic achievements, which include removing over 30 million pounds of trash from oceans and raising $20 million to plant trees across the globe, many users expressed their gratitude towards MrBeast.

What’s more, the 24-year-old runs a second YouTube channel called Beast Philanthropy, where all profits from ad revenue, merch sales, and sponsorships goes towards various charitable efforts, including a food pantry that he opened in 2021.

However, after his latest video was released, several people accused MrBeast of capitalizing on philanthropy, claiming his video felt “performative.”

“using your money that way is good but the way he publicizes it feels very performative,” one person wrote. “He built a brand off feel good content so it's hard to see any of this as sincere.”

“philanthrocapitalism, he is exploiting poor people's problems for views and money and giving them basic human needs in return, never addressing why they don't have these in the first place,” another said.

“he’s not doing this for the people he’s doing this because ‘i’m mr beast look what i can do,’” a third suggested, while another accused him of doing “poverty tourism for cash.”

Instead, these users suggested that MrBeast should “educate” his viewers on the systemic issues rooted behind the various issues faced by the individuals in need of help.

“philanthropy-based content that shows the problems within our system but doesn't advocate for practical solutions is a little frustrating,” one tweet read. “Mr. Beast, with his platform, could educate so many people on why he even has to do all this philanthropic work.”

Others went on to question MrBeast’s intentions as they labeled his “never ending cycle of content creation” as unnerving.

“It’s the never-ending cycle of content creation that makes MrBeast feel insidious. The underlying notion that if the camera wasn’t on to feed the machine, nothing would happen,” one tweet read.

Well, MrBeast actually ended up voicing his thoughts on the systemic issues behind curable blindness, questioning why governments across the world don’t “step in and help.”

“I don’t understand why curable blindness is a thing. Why don’t governments step in and help? Even if you’re thinking purely from a financial standpoint it’s hard to see how they don’t roi on taxes from people being able to work again,” he wrote.

MrBeast wrote of the video, “It did raise awareness and get tons of people talking,” before clarifying that he’d not profited off the footage. “Also what profits? The average MrBeast video lost $1,500,000 last year lol,” he wrote.

He later followed up, “Twitter - Rich people should help others with their money. Me - Okay, I’ll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny. Twitter - MrBeast bad.”

Meanwhile, several users defended MrBeast, including fellow content creator KSI, who said that Twitter is full of “sad stupid people.”

You may also like

Random