Digital Phablet – Jimmy Donaldson, widely recognized as MrBeast, recently stirred mixed reactions on social media after sharing that he’s “borrowing money” and currently has “negative funds” in his bank account despite boasting a net worth of $2.6 billion.
The world’s most subscribed YouTuber, with over 460 million followers on the video platform, explained in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, “It’s amusing to discuss my personal finances because no one ever believes what I tell them.” He continued, “People are like, ‘You’re a billionaire!’ I respond, ‘That’s my net worth.’ Right now, I have negative cash.”
MrBeast Shares He’s Experiencing ‘Negative Money’ in His Bank Account
MrBeast has revealed he’s currently in the red, stating, “No one ever believes what I say because they think, ‘You’re a billionaire.’ I’m like, ‘That’s net worth.’ I’m actually borrowing money—that’s how little cash I have.” See the tweet here
— Dexerto (@Dexerto), January 13, 2026
He further added, “I’m borrowing money—that’s how little I have. Technically, everyone watching this video has more money in their bank accounts than I do if you account for the value of my company, which doesn’t even cover a breakfast at McDonald’s.”
His bold, highly addictive videos have propelled him to the top as the most-watched and subscribed YouTuber. The second season of Beast Games has just returned on Amazon Prime, featuring a $15 million prize pool for contestants.
In addition, MrBeast revealed to Dexerto that he’s even borrowing money from his mother for his upcoming wedding with his fiancé, Thea Booysen, who is 28 years old.
However, his comments have sparked backlash among fans and online skeptics, igniting debates and speculation. A user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “I hate when rich people pretend to be broke, like seriously.”
Another user pointed out, “I dislike when billionaires say things like this. They ‘borrow’ money because it’s financially advantageous for numerous reasons, including tax benefits. If MrBeast wanted to buy a $25 million beachfront vacation home, he could do so without having it in cash.”
(From left) Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Virginia Giuffre, and YouTuber MrBeast. — Reuters/Instagram@/mrbeast
From Syria’s former militant turned politician, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, here are five influential figures shaping 2025.
Ahmed al-Sharaa
Once a militant known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, Syrians now see Ahmed al-Sharaa as a political figure, having undergone a remarkable transformation since replacing long-time leader Bashar al-Assad.
On December 8, 2024, Sharaa entered Damascus after leading a swift offensive from their northwest stronghold, marking the end of nearly 14 years of civil war.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa participates in an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace, Damascus, March 10, 2025. — Reuters
He swapped his military fatigues for suits, settling into the presidential palace where Bashar Assad—who fled to Russia—and his family had ruled for decades.
Sharaa quickly solidified power: he was appointed interim president for a five-year transition and formed a government where allies hold key positions, even though parts of Syria remain outside their control.
Despite some sectarian tensions this year, many in the international community have warmly welcomed him. His November visit to the White House signified a significant acknowledgment for a man once targeted with a $10 million bounty by the U.S.
MrBeast
In 2025, the world’s leading online content creator expanded into new ventures, including an amusement park, a TV series, and a line of toys.
With over 450 million subscribers, Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, has built an empire around his personality, featuring a chocolate brand, restaurant chain, and even an Amazon Prime series.
The 27-year-old American influencer even made headlines as a potential bidder to acquire TikTok in the U.S.
Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, the top YouTube star with over 100 billion views this month, reacts during the debut of Beast Land, a theme park modeled after his endurance challenge videos, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 13, 2025. — Reuters
Initially gaining fame through travel or prank videos, his concept has now shifted toward competitive events with multimillion-dollar prizes. One such event replicated the hit TV show “Squid Game.”
His “Would You Risk Your Life for $500,000?” video, featuring a stuntman trapped in a burning building, drew some criticism for endangering participants for entertainment.
In 2023, Time magazine named him among the world’s most influential people. Forbes estimates his fortune at approximately half a billion dollars.
Maria Corina Machado
Venezuela’s opposition leader in exile, Maria Corina Machado, remains a fearless critic of the authoritarian regime, earning her the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
At 58, she boldly challenges President Nicolás Maduro—accused of electoral fraud and imprisoning political rivals—and his predecessor Hugo Chávez.
Maria Corina Machado greets supporters during a campaign rally for Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election, in Mérida state, June 25, 2024. — Reuters
Her outspoken stance has drawn scrutiny, especially regarding her ties to Europe’s far-right and U.S. politics. She’s expressed support for American military operations in the Caribbean, where strikes on suspected drug shipments have reportedly resulted in over 80 deaths since September.
With an engineering background, Machado captivates crowds with compelling speeches. She was the opposition’s candidate in the 2024 elections but was later disqualified from running. Instead, she campaigned for her replacement, the lesser-known diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
MADURO claimed victory, but few countries officially recognized his win. Gonzalez Urrutia fled to Spain; Machado continues to lead the resistance in hiding. She told AFP in October, “I will be wherever I can serve my country best.”
Oleksandr Usyk
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk proved his greatness in 2025 by becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion in July, defeating Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
The 38-year-old asserts his victories are a tribute to Ukraine and its fighters, especially amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates his victory against Anthony Joshua. — Reuters
“Thanks to all of Ukraine and everyone defending our nation. I’ve received countless messages from soldiers on the front lines,” he said. “You guys are incredible, and you make all of this possible.”
Having won all 24 of his professional fights, Usyk continues to support Ukraine—raising funds and speaking out—while having chosen not to take direct combat roles himself.
He dedicated money to rebuild the home of Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi, a friend and former teammate shot dead by Russian forces near Kyiv.
“Over the last three years, my foundation has raised millions of euros to support the military, reconstruction efforts, and humanitarian aid,” he shared in March.
Virginia Giuffre
Virginia Giuffre, a central figure in exposing Jeffrey Epstein and allegations against Britain’s Prince Andrew, tragically died by suicide at 41 this April.
She spent nearly 15 years speaking out about her abuse, asserting she was raped by Epstein as a minor and exploited by his powerful friends, including the former prince.
Virginia Giuffre, an alleged Epstein victim, leaving a court hearing in New York in August 2019. — Reuters
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving 20 years in prison, and Prince Andrew has lost all his royal titles.
Former President Donald Trump, who was once close to Epstein, continues to deny involvement. Giuffre later started a family in Australia and founded “Speak Out, Act, Reclaim,” a support group for victims of sexual abuse. Her memoirs were published after her death.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Naomi Campbell, Sofia Vergara — and now, MrBeast, the latest celebrity to make a splash in Saudi Arabia’s growing entertainment scene. As part of the kingdom’s broader efforts to position itself as a global entertainment hub, popular YouTuber MrBeast—whose real name is James Donaldson— was in Riyadh to inaugurate Beast Land. This new theme park, inspired by his videos featuring large-scale endurance challenges with hefty cash prizes, opened its doors on November 13, 2025.
During a series of interviews prior to the launch, the 27-year-old star expressed excitement, saying, “It might be one of the best days of my life.” He added, “Everyone keeps asking: I want to be in a MrBeast video. Now, we’re bringing it to life so visitors can step into a real MrBeast experience.”
Saudi Arabia has undergone rapid cultural change in recent years, breaking away from its historically conservative roots. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, the country has introduced a plethora of entertainment options, transforming Riyadh into a vibrant hub for events. The city’s annual Riyadh Season now hosts daily concerts, competitions, and festivals — from boxing matches and slap contests to house music nights and sports tournaments.
Beast Land, located in Riyadh, features both traditional theme park rides such as rollercoasters and the signature challenges familiar to MrBeast fans. One such game involves participants slapping a lit-up button, with the last person to do so falling into a cushioned pit. Donaldson noted that a significant portion—around 70%—of his audience is outside the US. Saudi Arabia was an obvious choice for filming because of the accessible studio space, enabling him to produce his latest seasonal videos. He encourages others to visit: “Give it a shot. It’s more developed than you might think.”
The kingdom has also been luring international stars with substantial financial incentives. Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr is reportedly worth over $200 million. While MrBeast’s presence has been mostly welcomed, it has occasionally stirred controversy; Mexico, for instance, filed a lawsuit earlier this year against a company he collaborated with during a visit to the ancient Maya pyramids.
Digital Phablet – Recently, well-known YouTuber MrBeast faced significant criticism after revealing his latest series of daring challenges, which included trapping a man inside a burning house for a shot at winning $500,000.
The challenge featured Eric, a stuntman who explained in the video that his motivation was to earn enough money to improve his parents’ retirement, especially since his father’s health has been declining following a cancer diagnosis.
Entitled “Would You Risk Dying For $500,000?” the 25-minute video showcased seven different challenges, such as being propelled out of a human cannon, jumping through rings of fire, and more. Yet, one particular stunt sparked outrage on social media due to its dangerous nature.
MrBeast faces backlash for confining man inside a burning house
The video opened with MrBeast and his team binding Eric with ropes inside a house set on fire, offering him a chance to win $500,000 before the flames took over. Remarkably, Eric managed to secure $250,000 just moments before the entire house was consumed by fire.
In another challenge, Eric had to throw a grappling hook into a fireworks-filled room to seize $300,000 within five minutes before a massive fireball detonated. Afterwards, he faced a subsequent challenge similar to the previous burning house scenario.
In this instance, the contestant was again trapped inside a burning building with ropes, but MrBeast released him after jokingly pressuring him to comment on his new beef jerky product.
Would You Risk Dying For $500,000? (MrBeast/ YouTube)
Just one day after uploading it to YouTube, the video amassed over 43 million views. This isn't surprising given that MrBeast is the most subscribed individual on the platform, with over 441 million followers.
On X (formerly Twitter), a social media user compared MrBeast to Jigsaw, a fictional villain from the horror film series Saw. The comment read, "Watching this guy turn into Jigsaw in real time."
Another viewer remarked, "Wow... MrBeast is really taking ‘high stakes’ to a whole new level," while someone else said: "For the sake of entertainment, I guess. I thought Idiocracy was the future, but now I realize we’re already living it."
In response to the criticism, MrBeast issued a statement saying, "If there are concerns about the safety of the contestant, I want to assure everyone that safety is our top priority. Every challenge was tested multiple times by professional stunt performers, and we have a full rescue team on standby, including firefighters, EMTs, and divers, with an ambulance and firetruck ready."
He continued, "We also had a pyro team managing the fires and multiple fire suppression systems in place for each challenge to ensure we could quickly extinguish any issues. Our stunt coordinator did an exceptional job as always, and none of these safety measures were ever triggered. I just wanted to be transparent since I noticed some concerns!"
ALBAWABA – MrBeast shares unexpected difficulties regarding his wedding despite his billion-dollar empire.
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Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, recently revealed that he has “very little money” and is seeking financial support from his family to fund his wedding with content creator Thea Boysen, despite having an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
In a response posted on June 1, 2025, to a tweet that dubbed MrBeast “the only billionaire under 30 who didn’t inherit his wealth,” the YouTube sensation, who boasts over 400 million followers, shared, “I personally have very little money because I reinvest everything (this year, we estimate spending around a quarter of a billion dollars on content).”
He humorously added, “Ironically, I’m borrowing money from my mom to cover wedding expenses,” before clarifying, “But in terms of assets, the businesses I manage hold significant value.”
However, MrBeast isn’t just about posting wild stunts and giving away massive sums of money on social media. He also hosts “Beast Games,” a reality competition show that awarded an unprecedented $10 million to the champion of its first season.
In May, it was announced during Amazon's annual presentation that the most popular series on Prime Video will receive a second and third season renewal.
MrBeast Instagram profile
Reports indicate that MrBeast met Boysen in her home country of South Africa in 2022. Their romance blossomed a month later, culminating in a public appearance together at the Kids' Choice Awards in April of that year.
The couple had alluded to their wedding plans back then, choosing to keep the event discreet. They confirmed their engagement on Christmas Day 2024, exclusively to People magazine.
Boysen expressed, "This will be a warmer, more family-oriented, and intimate occasion," while sharing her thoughts with the publication. "With my busy schedule, I greatly cherish this wedding as a chance to celebrate with her and our loved ones, making it a perfect opportunity for a break from our hectic lives.”
Leading YouTube personality, MrBeast – a.k.a. Jimmy Donaldson – made his first-ever appearance on China’s internet. Launching an initial video on Bilibili Inc., a crowd-pleasing Chinese video service, his debut sparked rapid interest and engagement from viewers, despite Chinese cyber-space’s notable constraints on Western social media platforms.
The entry of MrBeast, who boasts a staggering 230 million subscribers on YouTube, into the Chinese market is seen as a rare feat. His initial offering on Bilibili – a short, 90-second collage video – swiftly racked up over 3 million views, amassing a whopping 270,000 likes. At a peak moment, the video saw simultaneous viewership exceeding 5,000, undoubtedly a momentous achievement in bridging Western content with Eastern viewership.
However, MrBeast’s Chinese venture doesn’t stop at Bilibili. The YouTube sensation is gearing up to make further inroads into other popular Chinese platforms, such as Douyin, Kuaishou, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu, with strategic plans for their expansion scheduled in the upcoming months.
Bilibili was handpicked as MrBeast’s Chinese launchpad, thanks to its striking similarity to YouTube – a platform currently inaccessible per China’s regulations. In addition to localized content, MrBeast’s team also intends to collaborate with Bilibili’s established Chinese creators, thereby engaging with and appealing to the local audience.
The arrival of MrBeast in China’s internet realm has been facilitated by Eyal Baumel, armed with expertise in content globalization and a track record of aligning creators with local markets. Riding on the success of MrBeast’s first China-targeted video, experts opine that his content manages to connect with the Chinese audience, transcending the barrier of cultural differences.
The globally renowned YouTuber, MrBeast, disclosed that he made over 250,000 US dollars (equivalent to £196,600) from sharing a video on X, previously recognized as Twitter.
The American YouTuber had previously expressed that uploading fresh content directly to the platform, owned by Elon Musk, wasn’t beneficial as creators only took in a minimal portion of the advertising earnings.
He had earlier stated that even garnering one billion views wouldn’t justify the effort of uploading videos to the platform.
Nonetheless, last week he declared that he would upload an old video to X as a test, as he was “extremely interested” to see the potential ad revenue generated from the post.
The post gathered over 155 million views and MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, shared a screenshot revealing it had made him slightly over 263,000 dollars (equivalent to £206,800).
MY FIRST X VIDEO MADE OVER $250,000! ????
But it’s a bit of a facade. Advertisers saw the attention it was getting and bought ads on my video (I think) and thus my revenue per view is prob higher than what you’d experience pic.twitter.com/nViVpZbWBb
The experiment has drawn the attention of numerous industry specialists and observers, given that X has publicly grappled with profitability issues since Elon Musk took over in late 2022, resulting in a decrease in site traffic.
Mr. Musk has also been embroiled in several contentious disputes with advertisers, many of whom have fled the platform due to concerns about the content permitted on the site under the billionaire’s “absolute free speech” stance.
To ramp up user engagement, the Tesla and SpaceX head has incorporated various new features on the platform, covering new premium subscriptions and beginning to split advertising revenue with content creators – an approach other platforms like YouTube already employ.
However, MrBeast downplayed the earnings from his video as somewhat misleading due to his prominent profile and implied that other users might not experience comparable returns.
MrBeast, who has 234 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, is believed to have made over 80 million dollars (approximately £63 million) in 2023, according to some predictions.
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