MrBeast is the world's biggest YouTuber with more than 300 million subscribers. He’s built an empire partly through so-called “stunt philanthropy,” where he surprises people with large sums of money or gifts. MrBeast has given waiters thousand-dollar tips, gifted people new cars and houses, and even paid for surgery to help 1,000 deaf people hear for the first time. The recipients’ reactions are then filmed and put on his channel.
Tom Gerken, a BBC technology reporter, explains why some people don’t consider MrBeast’s stunt philanthropy particularly philanthropic and how he — and other YouTubers — make money through advertising and brand sponsorships. He also briefly explains the allegations facing MrBeast and some of his colleagues.
We also hear from Makuochi Okafor, a BBC reporter in Lagos, to find out how the trend is taking off in Nigeria.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy