MrBeast opens up about backlash, billionaire status, and philanthropy on The Diary of a CEO podcast: 'You would think I'm Hitler'

The YouTube star opens up about the unexpected criticism and online rumors surrounding his charitable efforts.

In a candid interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast, YouTube sensation MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) opened up about the challenges he faces as a content creator, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

From the criticism surrounding his charitable efforts to debunking rumors about his billionaire status, MrBeast revealed the truth behind his wealth and the personal toll of trying to do good in the world. In this article, we break down the key moments from the interview.

Since starting The Diary Of A CEO, this has been one of the interviews I’ve wanted to do the most.

I’ve never seen someone so utterly consumed by their work. The word obsession doesn’t do him justice.

MrBeast is entirely possessed by his mission, with a level of detail that… pic.twitter.com/qOWwcgpgko

— Steven Bartlett (@StevenBartlett) February 20, 2025

Philanthropy: "You Would Think I’m Hitler"

During his appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast, YouTube mogul Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson spoke candidly about the backlash he faces for his philanthropic efforts. Known for his large-scale charity work, including building wells in Africa and helping blind people see, MrBeast expressed frustration over the negative reactions he receives online. He stated, “Sometimes, you'd read, like, when I built wells in Africa or help blind people see or things like that, you'd see some of these things online, you would think I'm Hitler.” MrBeast went on to explain that in the U.S., when someone does something good, it’s often met with suspicion, with many assuming there’s an ulterior motive behind the act. “We're, like, conditioned in America now – when someone does something good, there's always some ulterior motive,” he added.

Despite the criticism, he remains resolute in his mission, saying, “A world where I help people is just better than the world where I don’t.” His genuine desire to make a difference in the world drives his charity, but the criticism still affects him. He admitted that sometimes the negative comments get to him, even though he doesn’t let it deter his mission.

Is MrBeast Really a Billionaire?

One of the most intriguing parts of the interview was when MrBeast addressed speculation about his wealth. Many have dubbed him as YouTube’s first billionaire due to the massive scale of his projects, like Beast Games, which reportedly cost $100 million to produce. However, when asked about his billionaire status, MrBeast was quick to clarify, saying, “On paper, yeah. But in my actual bank account, I have less than a million dollars, so…”

He explained that his wealth is largely tied up in his businesses, not sitting in his personal bank account. MrBeast’s ventures, including Feastables and Lunchly, generate significant revenue, but he keeps most of his assets invested in these companies. “Money is a fuel to grow business,” he remarked, emphasizing that he’s focused on reinvesting in his ventures rather than amassing personal wealth.

Business Ventures and Investments

In addition to his work on YouTube, MrBeast is an entrepreneur with several successful ventures. He revealed that he owns businesses like Feastables, a snack company, and Lunchly, a food service that helps reduce food waste. These companies play a significant role in his financial landscape and help fund his grand YouTube projects. "You find a business that you enjoy, better for Mother Nature, Earth, or people, and there you go, you have a fulfilled life," he explained.

MrBeast shared that his goal is not to become the wealthiest person on earth but to use his business ventures to create lasting change and fulfillment. He stressed that, when he’s older, he doesn’t want to look back with regrets, stating, “When I’m 70, I just don’t wanna look back at have regrets.”

The Cost of His Ambitious Projects

MrBeast also discussed the financial and logistical challenges of his massive YouTube projects. One such project, Beast Games, required a multi-million dollar investment in equipment, storage, and editing infrastructure. “We broke a world record for most camera cables,” he joked, referring to the overwhelming scale of the show’s production. He highlighted the millions of dollars spent on hardware and the control room setup, which shows the immense effort required to execute such large-scale events.

The cost of producing Beast Games was not just financial but also a time and resource drain. “The millions of dollars we had to spend on storage, millions of dollars on the control room, millions upon millions of dollars of hardware to edit,” he explained, underscoring how much goes into producing content of that magnitude.

Despite the challenges, he remains excited about the future of Beast Games, quipping, “Amazon, let’s get Season 2 in the books already. Come on, sign a contract.” Fans are eagerly anticipating the next season, hoping that the show’s success will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in online entertainment.

How MrBeast Pays Himself

Despite his business empire, MrBeast revealed that he doesn’t pay himself extravagantly. When asked if he pays himself from his businesses, he admitted, “A little bit. But, I also have some assistance with things like that. I try to pay myself what I spend on personally a month so I stay even.” This modest approach to his personal finances further highlights his focus on reinvesting his wealth into his various ventures rather than living a lavish lifestyle.

Dealing with Online Criticism

Throughout the podcast, MrBeast reflected on how online criticism affects him. He admitted that sometimes the negative reactions to his philanthropy and wealth can be difficult to handle. “The more good you do, the more people think you're secretly evil,” he noted. But despite these challenges, he remains firm in his mission to help others and make a positive impact. “Occasionally, those will get to me and I’ll just be like, 'Guys, you don’t even know me,’” he shared, showing his resilience in the face of adversity.

MrBeast’s podcast appearance offered valuable insight into the mind of one of YouTube’s biggest stars.