A big-money grocery store challenge by MrBeast in the hood has folks asking whether the rules were fair or just another gatekeeping moment dressed up as charity.
GREENVILLE, N.C. – A Facebook post is gaining traction after a user accused YouTube superstar MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, of pulling some shady behavior during a $250,000 game challenge that was allegedly set up in the hood.
The post, shared by a user named Stoner Stoner, called out what they say were the rules of the challenge — specifically claiming that anyone with a background or pending charges was automatically eliminated.
And that’s where folks started side-eyeing the whole thing.
“Y’all don’t find that weird?” the post questioned, pointing out that setting up a big-money challenge in a low-income neighborhood while disqualifying people with records doesn’t really add up.
Mr. Beast, who is from Greenville, N.C., held the challenge on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The first 100 shoppers would receive 50% off all items.
Later Mr. Beast arrived at the unnamed store located at 1701 Dickerson Avenue, where a shopping cart filled with $250,000 was wheeled onto the floor. It was then announced that the last person remaining inside the store would win the life-changing prize.
“They Don’t Wanna See Us Win”
The post didn’t sugarcoat it. The user said the situation felt like the same racial and class profiling people in the hood deal with every day — just wrapped up in YouTube content and fake generosity.
According to the post, it felt less like an opportunity and more like another reminder that certain people aren’t meant to make it past the gate.
“He just like the system,” the user wrote, comparing the challenge to how institutions offer surface-level help without real access.
The post also claimed the winner would likely be someone who doesn’t need the money at all — throwing in the prediction that it would be a white contestant, while making it clear the comment was about how the system usually plays out, not hate.
As of now, MrBeast hasn’t responded to the post or addressed the claims directly.
12 thoughts on “MrBeast Faces Backlash Over Alleged Profiling in Greenville 250K Challenge”
BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WITH CHARGES.
People are profiling themselves by insinuating that only poor or Black people have charges.
His challenge, his rules. Folks should be more concerned about the life choices that they have made that will eliminate them than how he chooses to set guidelines for a game that he sponsors and pays out his money.
Racial profiling exists but this is not it. Do better, be better!!!!
The rules don’t say who “deserves” money, they say who can legally participate in a filmed competition. It is a standard practive for competitions to have legal requirements especially those involving significant cash in TV/game show formats–this is not unique to this event.
Wheel of Fortune, Price is Right and ALL shows don’t permit participants with background issues..period! In fact, you can’t get a federal student loan with certain background issues. YOU exclude yourself, when you choose to break the law, so make better choices.
That said, I don’t look for fault in people trying to do good and select a neighborhood where the impact can be felt. MOST of the people in this neighborhood do NOT have records, so please stop trying to take up for the few bad apples in the bunch–we don’t want them rewarded anyway for causing terror in the neighborhood!! I drove right by this site and thought it was odd to have a red carpet for a grocery store opening. Thank you, Mr. Beast and please don’t listen to the critics as your heart was in the right place AGAIN.
I see things posted about him and the “good” he does, but this bs right here is just wrong. How tf are you going to have a contest in a low income community, say it’s open to anyone, but then have rules like “oh if you have a back ground or pending charges your automatically disqualified.. like WTH! That’s so wrong! Families that live in low income communities need the money and it shouldn’t matter what their background is or anything. Maybe that’s just the positivity they need to change their life around or have it better for their family… but I have a better idea. Why doesn’t he take all that money he has and help low income families? Like help them get cars, jobs, pay their bills, food, etc.. like don’t kick them while their are down, lift them up and give them hope for tomorrow. I just don’t see how people like him can do something like this and then sleep at night. Everyone is just trying to get by and see another day, but this right here is just sad and heart breaking!!
It’s not free groceries or some charity thing – it’s a competition video. Tv shows have legal rules about participating he has to follow. There are plenty of low income people who aren’t criminals. There are plenty of black people who aren’t criminals. Why do you guys think HE is suspect for following the law and then ASSUME black peoples and “real” low income people all have committed felonies. Sorry but the racist here doesn’t sound like the YouTube guy.
It never said it was open to everyone. It clearly stated that criminals were not eligible. Maybe don’t be a criminal, and you can do things like that
100%
This is a standard practice in the TV industry. It would be a nightmare for the producers and the company. Imagine rewarding a child molester, rapist or felon with $250k, the media would have a field day with that and your company would be boycotted. All contests have exclusions for similiar reasons. If you were giving away money, wouldn’t you set some guidelines?
What COLLAGE were they in? Do you mean COLLEGE? Lawd, delete this please 🤣🤣🤣
I haven’t like that dude since he started. I’ve always felt like something ain’t right with him or what he does. He only does this type it’s shit for VIEWS not from the heart! And what the hell does having a background got to do with some damn groceries? He wasn’t trying to give someone a damn job. That man works with the devil himself if you ask me. NOTHING ADDS UP!
It’s not free groceries or some charity thing – it’s a competition video. Tv shows have legal rules about participating he has to follow. There are plenty of low income people who aren’t criminals. There are plenty of black people who aren’t criminals. Why do you guys think HE is suspect for following the law and then ASSUME black peoples and “real” low income people all have committed felonies. Sorry but the racist here doesn’t sound like the YouTube guy.
Well that’s typical of him he doesn’t pick people that could really use the help for there family its always either his friends or someone in collage!!! I am not gonna waste my time he has a for the rich