MrBeast's Team Responds to Mexico Drama: 'Unfortunate'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A spokesperson for MrBeast told Newsweek that it is "unfortunate" a video in which he explores ancient Mexican pyramids has become a "political issue."
The video was criticized by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which said that they had given MrBeast permission to film at the sites, but not to monetize the content or use it to advertise his products.
Newsweek has reached out to the INAH outside regular working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, is the world's most popular YouTuber, with 396 million subscribers on the platform as of reporting. On May 10, MrBeast uploaded a video titled "I Explored 2,000 Year Old Ancient Temples," where he explored ancient Mayan cities including Calakmul and Chichén Itzá in southeastern Mexico.
MrBeast at the Love, Death + Robots—NY Special Screening at Paris Theater on May 13, 2025 in New York City.
MrBeast at the Love, Death + Robots—NY Special Screening at Paris Theater on May 13, 2025 in New York City.for Netflix
After its release, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum requested clarifications on the conditions under which the permissions for the video were granted. Following this, the INAH shared an official complaint.
What To Know
The spokesperson for MrBeast said that it is "unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue."
"This video, similar to the one of the pyramids in Egypt, was meant to highlight these treasured Mayan sites in Mexico."
"No advertisement material was shot on any archaeological sites overseen by INAH so it is unfortunate that this has turned into a political issue. Hopefully it can lead to a productive dialogue and encourages people to visit these unique historical treasures."
MrBeast wrote on X that he and his team "have great respect for the Mexican and Mayan culture and people."
The complaint from the INAH said that though the institution was pleased by the interests of YouTubers and young people, they "strongly condemn" those who "take advantage of the good disposition of the institutions to violate the terms of the authorizations granted."
They said that they were launching an "administrative lawsuit, against Full Circle Media, a firm they say worked with MrBeast. They said the permit issued to Full Circle Media, which they said is representative of MrBeast, "did not authorize the publication of false information or the use of the image of archaeological sites for private profit commercials."
MrBeast also addressed the video in a post on X, where he said that his team had "filmed with full permits, followed guidelines, had representatives from government agencies following us, Mexican archaeologists to make sure we were accurate, AND representatives from the sites to ensure we were following the rules."
The post which has been viewed 2.5 million times as of reporting, continued, "We are not and have never been sued by them lol. That is false and it saddens me to see people spreading lies." He added, "They were aware of us mentioning Feastables in the video but for respect of the sites, it was filmed off site from any national monuments. The dinner scene where I made the Feastables joke was not near any mayan temples."
The 27-year-old also said that "behind the scenes we funded wells and water projects in the state, I've also been working with INAH on a fund to support local Mexican archaeology and new discoveries."
What People Are Saying
MrBeast, in a post on X: "I've seen a lot of stories about our recent video in Mexico and wanted to clear some false things being said. 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."
Layda Sansores, the Governor of Campeche on X: "We are deeply grateful to @MrBeast for visiting Calakmul and sharing the grandeur of our Mayan culture with the world … MrBeast's team acted at all times with utmost responsibility and respect toward our ancestral heritage."
The National Institute of Archaeology and History in a social media statement: "The INAH condemns those with commercial interests and private profit purposes, who dare to deviate the value of archaeological sites, which are the legacy of our origin cultures and pride of our nation. The heritage of the nation, which is public by its nature, cannot be exploited by commercial enterprises.
What's Next
MrBeast wrote in his post to X, "I hope to go back someday and continue to share how awesome the culture is with the world."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
29 minutes ago
- Newsweek
American Eagle Scores Big Win Amid Sydney Sweeney Ad Backlash
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. American Eagle's Instagram followers have skyrocketed following its ad campaign with actress Sydney Sweeney. Newsweek reached out to an American Eagle spokesperson via email for comment. Why It Matters American Eagle sparked a firestorm online late last month when the clothing company released a commercial featuring Sweeney, an actress known for her roles on Euphoria and The White Lotus. "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color," she says in the denim ad. "My jeans are blue." In response to the line, critics argued the wordplay with "genes" had "white supremacy" undertones. Others pushed back against the claims, however, saying that it was just clever marketing. On August 1, American Eagle defended their campaign in a statement posted to social media: "'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone." A digital advertising display featuring Sydney Sweeney is seen outside an American Eagle store in Times Square in New York City on August 4, 2025. A digital advertising display featuring Sydney Sweeney is seen outside an American Eagle store in Times Square in New York City on August 4, 2025. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Following Sweeney's July 23 commercial, American Eagle has seen a significant surge in social media engagement. According to the analytics website Social Blade, the brand has picked up more than 142,700 followers on Instagram in the last 30 days, most of which were in the days and weeks after the ad was released. On August 1, the same day American Eagle released a statement, it racked up 18,300 followers. The next day, it garnered an additional 25,969 followers, and on August 3, 15,492 people clicked the follow button. In comparison, the company lost 157 followers on July 13 and lost 152 followers on July 14. At the time of publication, American Eagle has 3.8 million Instagram followers. The news comes amid American Eagle's stock boost after President Donald Trump complimented the brand. Upon learning Sweeney is a registered Republican in Florida, he told reporters: "I love her ad!" In a separate message posted to Truth Social, he said Sweeney "has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there" and "the jeans are 'flying off the shelves.'" On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that American Eagle's stock rose by more than 23 percent after Trump's comments. What People Are Saying Sweeney's brother, Trent Sweeney, posted a certificate of his promotion to staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force on Instagram and said: "It's them good jeans." Robin Landa, an advertising expert and professor at Michael Graves College at Kean University, previously told Newsweek: "The campaign's pun isn't just tone-deaf—it's historically loaded." Political commentator Megyn Kelly said on her show: "We're sick and f****** tired of the nonsense, where you are not allowed to ever celebrate someone who is white and blonde and blue-eyed. That we have to walk into a room apologetic for those things, or have for the past five years. In a way, this ad is the final declaration that we're done doing that s***. It doesn't mean we're better, but you know what? We're no worse than any other race or any other hair color or eye color." What Happens Next Sweeney's new film Americana, which also stars Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey, Simon Rex, Eric Dane and more, hits theaters on Friday, August 15.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
‘Taking a seasonal pause': This Miami Beach restaurant from a celebrity chef is closed
Another Miami-area restaurant is taking a summer break. Lucky Cat, the Asian-inspired restaurant from Gordon Ramsay, is now closed on Miami Beach. The restaurant, which opened early in 2024, announced a 'seasonal pause' on Instagram, calling the break 'A moment to reset' and hinted that it had 'a future to be reimagined.' Lucky Cat is located at 119 Washington Ave. in the South of Fifth neighborhood, next to Jeremy Ford's Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed. 'As the city's tempo softens, we're reflecting on an incredible first chapter and dreaming up what's next,' the Lucky Cat post said. 'To our guests, our partners, and our exceptional team: thank you. This isn't goodbye, just a moment to breathe.' The post hints that Lucky Cat Miami will return at some point, although a couple of restaurants have made the same promise only to close permanently. Ensenada, for example, a coastal Mexican spot at the Vagabond Hotel in Miami, announced it was taking a break, then admitted later it had no plans to reopen. Also not reopening is Sereia, the Portuguese restaurant in Coconut Grove, which closed in May, while Massimo Bottura's Torno Subito team insists the Italian spot on the rooftop of Julie & Henry's will be back in the fall. The three Lucky Cat locations in the UK will remain open, as will Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Miami at 333 Biscayne Blvd. Way. The first Lucky Cat opened in 2019 in the affluent Mayfair district of London, inspired by Ramsay's traveles in Asia, including Tokyo's vinyl listening lounges and the bars of Shanghai. The restaurants serve an Asian menu with a variety of influences: sushi and sashimi, buns and dumplings, tempura and robata-grilled dishes, bao buns and Korean spiced black cod with gochujang. Ramsay called it 'an exquisite dining experience.' 'The mood is cool, the ambiance dark and sultry,' he said via email in 2024. 'Every plate has been thoughtfully conceptualized, the flavors are exciting, your palate is alive.' He told the Miami Herald he had long kept an eye on the Magic City as it exploded into a dining destination. 'Everything is appealing about Miami,' he wrote. 'From a chef's perspective, the ingredients are incredible, and the food scene is so, so hot right now. There is amazing inspiration everywhere: the art, the different areas across the city, and the weather is beautiful. I love it!'
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Woman Takes Elderly Neighbor to the Movies—Tears at How She Finds Him
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A beautiful and profound intergenerational friendship has been shared with the world through a viral TikTok video. Julissa Gomez, 28, posted a video of her taking her 86-year-old neighbor, Delmar, to see the movie Elio. What brought Gomez to tears, however, was the sight of Delmar waiting on his porch, his face full of excited anticipation. His pure joy in a simple moment has resonated with 6.5 million people who liked the clip. Gomez spoke to Newsweek about the unlikely friendship and what it's meant to her to have Delmar in her life. Gomez and Delmar's friendship is a true testament to the power of community. Gomez said their bond began after she and her family invited him to join them at church. Photos from Julissa Gomez's TikTok video of her neighbor going to the movies. Photos from Julissa Gomez's TikTok video of her neighbor going to the movies. @ "We went every Sunday, and afterwards, we'd share a meal together," Gomez said. "Those Sundays became something we all looked forward to, and over time, he truly became part of our family." Their inspiring story has even been turned into a children's book, The Friendship Next Door with Delmar, with proceeds going toward his living expenses and medical bills. A Constant Source of Support and Love The movie outing is just one of many activities Gomez and her family share with Delmar to ensure he never feels lonely. Their shared adventures include running errands, celebrating holidays and birthdays and simply sitting and talking for hours. Delmar also enjoys watching his favorite shows, Funny You Should Ask and Family Feud, with them. Their friendship runs deeper than shared meals and movie nights, however. Gomez shared that after her father passed away, Delmar became a source of strength and support when she needed it most. "After my dad passed away, I went through a really hard time," she said. "But Delmar was a constant source of support and love. He checked in on us regularly and became the kind of friend and family that anyone would be lucky to have." She added that she believes that her father "sent Delmar to brighten our days." The bond her dad and Delmar shared has now been passed on to Gomez's husband, who can make Delmar "laugh like no one else can." Gomez said she treasures Delmar for his "kindness, wisdom, humor, and the way he makes everyone around him feel special." The Internet Comes Together to Help The viral video has not only brought awareness to their friendship but has also sparked an outpouring of generosity from the online community. This support has helped ease many of Delmar's financial burdens. "When his car stopped working, he was devastated, it's his independence," Gomez shared. "Thanks to the generosity through our GoFundMe, he was able to get it fixed." Without the support from TikTok, she says, this would not have been possible. The same online community also helped Delmar with another milestone: getting his first cellphone. This has provided him a new way to stay connected with Gomez and "all the people cheering him on." For her, seeing this online community come together to support her dear friend has been "incredibly moving." The story of Gomez and Delmar is ultimately a powerful reminder that random acts of kindness can lead to the most meaningful and unexpected friendships.
