MrBeast defends Ghana philanthropy amid local criticism

YouTube creator Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, is facing criticism regarding his philanthropic focus. After showcasing a $10 million project in Ghana to build a self-sustaining village—including housing, a medical clinic, clean water infrastructure, solar energy, and a school—some social media users questioned why he is not directing such resources toward his local community in Greenville, North Carolina, which has a poverty rate of 24.6 percent.

Donaldson defended his work through his non-profit, Beast Philanthropy, stating that he has already distributed tens of millions of meals within the United States and his local community. He noted that the scale of his local charitable efforts is too vast to list in a single video.

Separately, Donaldson has launched an international recruitment drive to find the world’s best video editors. The unconventional application process eschews resumes and cover letters, instead requiring candidates to submit their best edit along with a screen-recorded explanation of their creative decisions, such as pacing, sound, and structure.