The well-known gaming site, Kotaku, which has gained a reputation for deceptive headlines and a shrinking team, has been found disseminating false information – this occasion involving YouTube’s most prominent content creator, MrBeast.
The current dispute can be traced back to an article penned by Zack Zwiezen from Kotaku, initially titled “‘MrBeast’: Life is ‘Much Simpler When You’re Broke.'”“
The problem? MrBeast never actually said that.
In a recent episode of “The CEO’s Diary” podcast, Jimmy Donaldson, more famously known as MrBeast, discussed the difficulties he faces in his prominent lifestyle. The accurate quote, which Kotaku should have verified before publishing their headline, was:
*Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) on “The CEO’s Diary” podcast: “I talk about the challenges of my high-profile lifestyle.”*
“It is like, so much easier when you’re— bro, if you don’t travel constantly, life is so easy…”
At no point did MrBeast claim that being broke made life better or even utter the word “broke.”
Instead of confirming his statements, Kotaku prematurely published an erroneous quote, aiming to capitalize on the amusing but misguided impression that he was oblivious, all in the pursuit of generating sensationalized outrage responses.
MrBeast shared X with everyone, pointing out that an inaccurate quote from Kotaku had sparked a wave of harsh online comments towards him after the article was published.
Originally, I never stated that “life is so much easier when you’re broke,” but a news site falsely attributed those words to me. As a result, many people now believe the falsehood and harbor negative feelings towards me. The glamour of fame certainly has its perks, doesn’t it? 👍🏻
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) March 1, 2025
On X, I voiced my disappointment over a news site falsely attributing words to me that I never said – ‘life is easier when you’re broke.’ It’s disheartening to see so many people believing this falsehood and directing their anger towards me. Being in the limelight may seem enjoyable at times, but it’s certainly not without its challenges.
Kotaku’s Half-Hearted Damage Control
After facing criticism and quick community correction for an inaccurate quote, Kotaku ultimately amended the article. However, rather than providing a formal retraction or apology, the publication only made the minimal required adjustments.
Mistakes and misquotes happen in journalism. Tight deadlines and the constant race to get news out can lead to accuracy issues. But responsible journalism outlets will take every opportunity to correct their mistake, apologize, and vow to do better in the future.
That didn’t happen here.
The original article and promotional post were published on February 20, 2025, but it wasn’t until March 1, 2025, at 12:50 p.m. ET, a full 10 days later, that the article was corrected.
Instead of making a comprehensive correction or apology across the board, Kotaku only added a brief disclaimer at the bottom of the page.
In an update on January 3, 2025 at 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time, it was found that an earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed a quote to MrBeast, stating he said ‘easier when you’re broke.’ This misquote originated from a transcript provided by PR for The Diary of a CEO podcast before its release. In response, MrBeast has clarified his statement on Twitter, and we have revised the quote and headline to reflect this correction.
In their correction, Kotaku fails to admit fault or express regret over the mistake they made that affected MrBeast and his reputation. They do not acknowledge that they may have spread inaccurate information, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Moreover, Kotaku has not issued a public apology nor corrected their article, leaving the misleading tweet promoting it up for several days until it was flagged by a community note before being removed.
As a dedicated follower, I noticed a brief update tucked away at the footer of the recently revised piece. Given that it had been online for a solid ten days and probably didn’t attract much attention due to low traffic, I couldn’t help but wonder if it deserved more spotlight.
Regrettably, at 10:00 AM EST on March 3, 2025, when you search “Kotaku MrBeast” on Google, the initial deceptive headline remains, demonstrating the enduring impact of this misleading information.
Kotaku’s Longstanding Pattern of Misleading Journalism
As someone who’s followed Kotaku closely, it doesn’t come as a shock to me that they’ve found themselves in this situation again. Time and time again, they’ve demonstrated a preference for stirring up controversy over maintaining accuracy. They often manipulate stories to align with their preconceived notions, whether it’s misinterpreting developers, whipping up anger within gaming communities, or, in this instance, distorting the words of a well-known creator. Over the years, Kotaku has earned a name for itself by putting sensationalism ahead of truth.
And it’s not just sloppy reporting—it appears to be a pattern.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that when Kotaku gets caught misleading their readers with inaccurate information or biased reporting, they tend to quietly edit the article without making any formal announcement or apology. Instead of openly admitting fault and taking responsibility for their mistakes, they prefer to tiptoe around the issue and hope no one notices the changes. This approach lacks transparency and accountability, which I believe are crucial components in maintaining trust with their audience.
Why MrBeast Was an Easy Target
So why did Kotaku jump at the chance to take this shot at MrBeast?
Simple: They knew it would generate clicks.
Despite his significant charitable deeds and generally favorable public standing, MrBeast has often been criticized by media outlets driven by specific agendas. His achievements, diligence, and immense influence make him an appealing figure for those aiming to stir up controversy. In the past, Kotaku has targeted him, and it appears they seized this chance to generate interest by portraying him as disconnected from everyday people, regardless of whether this representation was factual.
Instead of taking the responsible route—fact-checking before publishing—Kotaku rushed to capitalize on a viral misinterpretation. Then, when faced with undeniable proof of their mistake, they opted for minimal damage control rather than an actual correction.
Kotaku’s Decline Continues
This recent mistake serves as further evidence that Kotaku’s influence is waning. For quite some time now, the platform seems to be in a state of gradual decay, and recent occurrences have only expedited this deterioration.
Recently, just a few months ago, G/O Media – the parent company of Kotaku – carried out another wave of layoffs. These cuts have made an already challenging situation even more difficult for the publication. Notable staff members such as Willa Rowe and Moises Taveras, who had recently joined the team, were let go, along with senior editor Alyssa Mercante, whose contract was terminated before the layoffs took place.
Currently, Kotaku resembles a shadow of its past glory. It has significantly reduced its editorial staff, leaving it precariously afloat as its parent company disposes of other assets such as The Onion and Gizmodo.
Final Thoughts
Kotaku’s approach to the MrBeast incident serves as another glaring example of the troubles besetting contemporary online journalism today. Rather than owning up to mistakes, issuing a transparent and conspicuous rectification, and offering an apology, they opted for a stealthy revision of their article that would escape notice unless one was specifically seeking it out.
Kotaku lied. What a surprise.
Naughty me as well for not reading the article. But it’s Kotaku, so… Who the fuck reads that shit.
My bad.
— Heel vs Babyface (@heelvsbabyface) March 1, 2025
The case involving MrBeast serves as another reminder of the growing concerns about the integrity of journalism, making Kotaku a prime example often cited as a warning in contemporary reporting.
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2025-03-03 19:56