Would you dash through fire and explosions for half a million dollars?
That’s the question MrBeast posed in his latest viral video — and it’s ignited more than just pyrotechnics.
The world’s biggest YouTuber, Jimmy Donaldson (aka MrBeast), dropped “Would You Risk Dying for $500,000?” over the weekend.
The clip, featuring professional stuntman Eric tackling seven death-defying challenges — from cannon shots to escaping a burning house.
It racked up over 45 million views in days.
Eric walked away with $350,000. The internet, however, lit up with fury. Critics called it dystopian, dangerous and humiliating.
MrBeast Hits Back
Donaldson hit back on X, insisting safety came first.
“We had ventilation for the smoke, a kill switch for the fires, and a full pyro team on standby.”
The guy’s a professional stuntman. I take safety more serious than you could ever imagine.”
A pinned comment on the video echoed his transparency, detailing multiple suppression systems and specialists on site.
With 440 million subscribers, Beast’s stunts have made him a king of YouTube — and a magnet for controversy.
From lawsuits by reality-show contestants to accusations of “exploiting” cultural landmarks, Donaldson has weathered plenty.
But as long as millions keep watching, the question lingers: is MrBeast pushing boundaries… or just perfecting the art of spectacle?
