SeñorBeast.
Photo: John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images
Not everyone subscribes to the idea that all publicity is good publicity … even if it’s coming from the YouTuber who has the most subscribers in the world. On May 15, a Mexican federal bureau announced that it had taken legal action against a production company that worked with MrBeast on a May 10 video titled “I Explored 2000 Year Old Ancient Temples,” in which he visits Maya archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá in the state of Yucatán and Calakmul in the state of Campeche. According to CNN, some viewers took issue with the fact that the YouTuber appeared to have been granted access to restricted areas that are considered sacred. (“I can’t believe the government is letting us do this,” MrBeast acknowledged in the video. “It’s truly crazy. Not even archaeologists are allowed in here.” Similarly, when a guide handed him what appeared to be a Maya mask, he asked, “Why is this not in a museum? Why is a YouTuber holding this?”) The inclusion of promo in the video — at one point, while at what appeared to be his campsite, MrBeast plugged peanut butter cups from his Feastables brand by describing them as “the only Mayan-approved snack on the planet” — also drew criticism. Here’s what to know about the controversy, which even the president of Mexico herself has weighed in on — and which MrBeast has said is a nonstory, denying that he or his team have been sued.
He wasn’t trespassing. MrBeast’s video description states that filming was done in collaboration with the Mexican Tourism Board and thanks the National Institute of Anthropology and History, a government agency also known as the INAH. In a thread posted on X on May 18, MrBeast maintained that he and his team “filmed with full permits, followed guidelines, had representatives from government agencies following us, Mexican archeologists to make sure we were accurate.”
The INAH previously confirmed in a May 12 statement that a formal request had been made to allow the YouTuber’s visit. According to the INAH, federal personnel monitored MrBeast’s team the entire time and ensured that no damage was done to the sites. The agency further clarified that the video features post-production work, and that certain events depicted in it — such as people descending from a helicopter, flying a drone inside a pyramid, or spending the night inside of an archaeological site — never happened. And the INAH noted that the mask that MrBeast handled was a contemporary recreation, not an actual ancient artifact.
According to the BBC, when asked on May 14 for her thoughts, President Claudia Sheinbaum called for a report on the situation. Specifically, she wanted to know the terms under which the INAH had granted permission for the visit and what sanctions would be imposed if those terms had been violated.
Yes. The agency announced in a May 15 thread on X announcing that it had filed an administrative lawsuit against Full Circle Media, the production company that worked with MrBeast while he was in Mexico. The INAH said that the terms of the permission granted did not allow for the publication of false information or the use of the image of archaeological sites for advertising purposes or personal profit. The statement took a sterner tone than that of its previous May 12 statement, which had concluded that despite including “distorted” information, videos like MrBeast’s could still motivate young people around the world to learn about Mexico’s ancestral cultures and visit the country’s archaeological sites.
In an email to the New York Times, a spokesperson for MrBeast addressed part of the backlash over the video. “No advertisement material was shot on any archaeological sites overseen by INAH so it is unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue,” the email statement read, “hopefully it can lead to a productive dialogue and encourages people to visit these unique historical treasures.”
Days later, MrBeast offered a lengthier response on X. “Me and my team have great respect for the Mexican and Mayan culture and people. We did this video to get people all over the world excited to learn more about their culture, much like we did with our Pyramids video,” he tweeted on May 18. “We are not and have never been sued by them lol.” After affirming that he had gotten permission and followed all necessary protocols, he claimed that officials were “aware” of the Feastables mention in the video, which was filmed “off site from any national monuments” out of respect. He also pointed out that Campeche Governor Layda Sansores has publicly defended his visit on social media, praising his content and conduct. (She is thanked in the description of his video.)
MrBeast went on to claim that he has contributed financially to wells and water projects in Mexico, and has also been collaborating with INAH on “a fund to support local Mexican archeology and new discoveries” because he “wanted to help spread the culture as a thanks for allowing us to film.” The INAH responded to MrBeast’s post with a statement on X that did not mention such a fund, but reiterated that it has taken administrative legal action against Full Circle Media due to commercial aspects of the video.
This post has been updated.