Mexico is demanding compensation after YouTube titan MrBeast dropped a jaw-dropping video filmed inside ancient Mayan ruins — but critics are calling it a jealous money grab.
In “I Explored 2,000-Year-Old Ancient Temples,” MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is seen roaming sacred sites, descending into pyramids, and plugging his “Mayan-approved” Feastables snack. The video exploded online with over 60 million views, but now the Mexican government is fuming.
Officials claim the permit granted to Full Circle Media allowed filming — but not the use of the footage for commercial promotion. They accuse the production of distorting history, violating terms, and staging scenes like helicopter landings and artifact handling.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for a formal investigation. Meanwhile, Mexico’s heritage institute slammed the video as “theatrical” and “misleading,” warning that legal action may be on the way.
MrBeast’s team pushed back, stating that no ads were filmed on restricted grounds and the goal was to inspire cultural appreciation. Some Mexican citizens, however, are angry that the YouTuber seemingly had VIP access regular tourists could never get.
Still, the timing of Mexico’s outrage has raised eyebrows — they gave filming permission, the video went viral, and now it seems like they just want a slice of the success.
