YouTuber Jack Doherty is facing a new wave of backlash after turning to TikTok Live to ask for monetary gifts just days after crashing his $300,000 McLaren and being banned from streaming platform Kick. The social media star, known for his prank videos and stunts, has been widely criticized for what many are calling “e-begging” in the wake of his controversial car accident.
Doherty, who has 14.9 million YouTube subscribers, was involved in a high-speed crash that left his friend injured. While livestreaming to over 185,000 viewers on Kick, Doherty lost control of his McLaren 570S in the rain and collided with a metal barrier. The incident, which showed him driving with one hand while texting, resulted in his permanent ban from the platform.
In response to his removal from Kick, Doherty took to TikTok Live, where he began soliciting gifts from fans. This move has sparked outrage across social media, with many accusing the influencer of using his predicament to make money from his followers rather than taking accountability for his actions.
Twitter (now X) user @ryan shared the viral post that drew widespread attention to Doherty’s TikTok session:
“Jack Doherty is currently on TikTok Live begging for gifts after crashing his McLaren and getting banned on KICK 😭”
Other users quickly piled on, voicing their disbelief and criticism. Comments like “biggest fall off of all time 💀”, “Bro is down bad,” and “This is wild” echoed the growing sentiment that Doherty was exploiting his audience during a time of controversy.
Doherty’s TikTok Live also featured a clip that has drawn more ire from critics. When asked by a viewer how the crash happened, Doherty responded:
“I hydroplaned. I literally hydroplaned. I’m in a McLaren in the pouring rain. What do you expect? You guys have never driven a McLaren.”
This dismissive response has been heavily criticized, as footage from the crash clearly shows Doherty distracted by his phone while driving in dangerous conditions. Fans and other social media users have pointed out that his attempt to blame the accident solely on hydroplaning ignores the responsibility of texting while driving at high speeds in bad weather.
The incident comes just 10 months after Doherty was involved in another dangerous stunt, flipping a golf cart with his girlfriend in the passenger seat, which he also posted on his YouTube channel. His repeated risky behavior, combined with his recent e-begging on TikTok, has further damaged his reputation online.
Though Doherty’s core fanbase has continued to support him, many are now questioning his actions and approach to content creation. As negative press continues to build, it remains to be seen how the influencer will navigate the growing backlash.
