Overview
- In a Wall Street Journal interview, Jimmy Donaldson said he is borrowing money and that, excluding his equity, many viewers likely have more in their bank accounts than he does.
- He said he does not have enough personal cash to buy a McDonald’s meal, stressing the difference between net worth and spendable funds.
- Reports place Beast Industries at about a $5 billion valuation, and Donaldson holds a little more than half of the company.
- He has repeatedly said he keeps minimal personal cash and plows earnings back into the business, citing annual content spending that can reach roughly $250 million.
- His remarks prompted backlash on X, where users criticized the optics and questioned wealthy founders’ use of borrowing and low salaries.