YouTuber MrBeast dreams of presidency—can business skills lead?
Youtuber MrBeast has confirmed his desire to run for the presidency of the USA. Is it a good idea for businessmen to run a country?
YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) recently disclosed his ambition to run for President of the United States during an episode of Theo Von's podcast. Donaldson, 26 years old, holds the title of the world's most popular YouTuber. In addition to his online presence, he manages various business ventures, including Lunchly, Feastables, and Beast Games, while engaging with a massive following of 335 million fans.
MrBeast aims to become President of the United States
When asked by Von if he still plans to run for president, MrBeast confirmed that he would most likely pursue this goal later in life. "If I were to do it, it would probably be like when I am 50 or 60. I would need to accomplish everything I want to in business and stuff and probably take 10 years and do something at the local and state level and work my way up," he stated. He added that he plans to gain experience by getting involved at the local and state levels before aiming for higher positions.
Von’s question stemmed from a joke MrBeast made on the X platform in July 2024, expressing interest in running for president if the age requirement were lowered from 35 years. He wrote, "If we lower the age to run for president I’ll jump in the race." His tweet went viral. Donaldson added that if elected, he would focus on managing the world's largest economy. This stirred excitement among his fans, who began voicing support for his ambitious plans.
Why is running a country by businessmen a potentially flawed idea?
Contrary to a common belief, efficient state management is not equivalent to managing an economy in the same manner as businesses, which primarily aim to maximize profits. The role of a democratic state is to ensure the safety of its citizens, encompassing not only territorial security but also individual security, including economic aspects.
A pertinent example of where business-style governance can lead is the United States, where both major parties receive funding from billionaires. In November 2024, one such billionaire was re-elected as president. Although the U.S. is the wealthiest economy in the world, it is also a place of significant social inequalities. According to statista.com, the richest 10% of Americans own 70% of the country's wealth, while 30% of U.S. residents live in poverty or just above its threshold. This results in growing frustrations and social tensions, for which there is no solution offered by the parties funded by billionaire donations.
