On September 27, 2025, a video by YouTube personality Mr Beast (Jimmy Donaldson), the most-subscribed individual on YouTube, with over 440 million subscribers) called Would You Risk Dying for $500,000? was released. The 25-minute upload received 53 million views in several days, and it caused controversy immediately.
The stunt that drew the most attention was the Mr Beast burning building challenge, where stuntman Eric was tied inside a controlled structure set on fire. The video is still online and continues to gain views, while discussion around its safety and ethics dominates social media.
Details of the Mr Beast Burning Building Stunt
Eric, a professional stuntman came in a mock-up building in a white hoodie and was tied to a chair as fire engulfed the room. He unstrapped himself, took out $250,000 that was lying on a table, and fled out of a door as the fire grew.
Other challenges in the same video included:
- Being shot out of a cannon into a wall of fire.
- Dodging explosions in enclosed spaces.
- High falls and rapid descents.
Eric ultimately earned $350,000, using the winnings to support his parents. The burning building sequence went viral across platforms like X, bringing the Mr Beast burning building stunt under scrutiny.
The release caused instant backlash. Critics called the stunt irresponsible and dystopian and likened it to Squid Game or Saw. In X, users claimed that it was exploitative to risk life to gain money as it was an economic strain. There was also an increase of copycat behavior among the younger viewers.
Comments on YouTube remained divided, with some praising Eric’s skill and others calling Mr Beast “Mr. Jigsaw.” tThe conversation had not led to legal action but remains active online.
Mr Beast Responds with Safety Details
Mr Beast addressed the backlash through a pinned comment and posts on X, outlining multiple safety protocols:
- Stunts tested in advance by professionals.
- Pyrotechnics team, smoke ventilation, and a “kill switch” for fire control.
- Firefighters, EMTs, divers, ambulance, and a fire truck present on set.
- Full rehearsals conducted for each challenge.
He stated the stunt was designed to create the illusion of danger and dismissed criticism as exaggerated. Supporters argued Eric participated voluntarily and was paid fairly.
There are no regulatory inquiries on the burning stunt, which have been initiated. The video is still live, and it addresses more general discussions about YouTube dealing with high-risk content.
The Mr Beast burning building controversy is still popular on social media sites, with some people perceiving it as an entertaining piece of art and others claiming it is morally questionable. The fact that no legal measures have been taken so far and the video continues to receive millions of views shows that the topic raises numerous concerns regarding safety, responsibility, and the future of high-risk influencer content.
