MrBeast Faces Legal Trouble in Mexico Over Mayan Video Controversy

The Mexican government has taken legal action against the popular YouTuber MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, claiming he breached the terms of his archaeological permit while filming at the Mayan pyramids. Authorities allege that he improperly promoted his own snack brand, Feastables, and profited from what they describe as "heritage that belongs to all Mexicans."

This controversy stems from a video titled "I explored 2000 year old ancient temples," which has garnered nearly 65 million views within a week of its release. In the video, MrBeast humorously promotes his Feastables chocolate peanut butter cup snack, referring to it as a "special Mayan dessert" and claiming it to be "the only Mayan-approved snack on the planet."

Mexican officials assert that MrBeast was granted a permit to film at various archaeological sites, including the iconic Chichén Itzá pyramid near Cancun. However, they emphasize that the permit did not authorize any commercial use of the sites.

The scene featuring the Feastables product appears to have been filmed at MrBeast's campsite, although the video does not specify the exact location. Additionally, the YouTuber has been accused of disseminating misinformation regarding Mayan culture.

In a statement on X, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) expressed their concerns, stating, "The nation’s heritage, which is public by nature, cannot be exploited by commercial enterprises." They have filed a lawsuit against the production company involved, seeking compensation for damages and a public retraction of the claims made in the video.

Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Mexico's Secretary of Culture, also voiced her discontent on X, stating, "We disagree with those who take advantage of the willingness of institutions to violate the terms of the authorizations granted."

However, the government's response has sparked backlash from many Mexicans. One resident from Playa del Carmen commented, "Continuing with this farce of sanctioning the YouTuber will only further undermine the government’s credibility. The mistake is not MrBeast’s; it is the one who gave them permission from the beginning without investigating the type of content he produces."

Another critic from Guadalajara, Moyo Mendozo, added, "What a way to shoot yourself in the foot. You got some free publicity… Keep your ego to a minimum."

In the video, MrBeast expresses his surprise at being allowed to access restricted areas, stating, "I can’t believe the government’s letting us do this." This access is typically denied to other tourists, including local Mexicans.

MrBeast has been recognized as the highest-paid YouTuber in 2024, with an estimated net worth of $550 million. He boasts an impressive following of 395 million subscribers, making him the most popular figure on the platform.

A representative for MrBeast has denied the allegations, asserting to the BBC that "no advertisement material was shot on any archaeological sites overseen by INAH." The unfolding situation raises questions about the intersection of social media influence, cultural heritage, and legal boundaries in the digital age.