MrBeast Faces Backlash Over Controversial ‘Burning Building’ Challenge Video

World-renowned YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is facing mounting criticism after releasing a controversial viral video titled “Would You Risk Dying for $500,000?” on September 27, 2025.

With over 440 million subscribers, MrBeast is the most-subscribed individual on YouTube. His 25-minute video, which quickly amassed over 53 million views, has drawn backlash for what many are calling a dangerous and dystopian stunt.

Known for his high-stakes challenges and philanthropy-driven content, MrBeast’s latest video involved a fiery stunt that has sparked intense debate online. In the video, viewers watched as professional stuntman Eric took on the challenge of escaping a burning building for a chance to win $500,000.

“MrBeast gives burning building challenge to stuntman Eric and he was tied inside a controlled structure set on fire.”

Wearing a white hoodie, Eric was strapped to a chair inside a mock-up building that was deliberately set ablaze. As the fire intensified, he managed to free himself, grab $250,000 from a table, and exit the building — all while flames surrounded him.

The video, which remains online, quickly went viral across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users raised serious concerns about the safety protocols, moral implications, and the influence of such stunts on impressionable audiences.

Critics have likened the video’s concept to dystopian fiction such as Squid Game and Saw, calling it “irresponsible and dystopian.”

While Eric is a trained professional and the environment was reportedly controlled, the ethics of monetizing such extreme challenges — even in safe conditions — has stirred widespread public and media debate.

The controversy has not only put MrBeast under scrutiny but also reignited conversations about content regulation, sensationalism, and the lengths creators go for virality on digital platforms.