Mr. Beast, World’s Top YouTube Star, Takes Fire for Being ‘White Male Figure’ Who Is ‘Monetizing Kindness’ While Building Wells in Africa

‘I already know I’m gonna get canceled because I uploaded a video helping people,’ Mr. Donaldson says.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
'Mr. Beast' speaks onstage during the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, March 4, 2023 at Los Angeles. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

In what may be the latest case of the aphorism “no good deed goes unpunished,” the world’s most popular YouTuber, “Mr. Beast,” is again coming under fire for his penchant for doing good deeds.

This time is notable in that Mr. Beast, who’s real name is James “Jimmy” Donaldson, has drawn the ire of Taylor Lorenz, the controversial technology journalist at the Washington Post, for building much-needed drinking wells in deeply impoverished villages in Africa. 

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