Darren “IShowSpeed,”a prominent YouTube personality, has been dominating conversations online since embarking on his travels in China. This adventure commenced on March 24, 2025, and has since featured live streams from iconic locations such as Beijing, the Forbidden City, and the majestic Great Wall of China, drawing thousands of captivated viewers.
However, amidst the excitement, some individuals on social media have raised doubts about the motives behind IShowSpeed’s tour, suggesting possible financial backing from the Chinese government. A notable post by X user @amuse on March 26, 2025, caught considerable attention, amassing over 1.2 million views. The post alleged:
“CHINA: The CCP is offering ‘influencers’ first-class air, 5-star accommodations, meals, $25K gift bags, and $500 per diem to come rave about the country. CHINA: Wonder what Ishowspeed got from the CCP for his visit?”
On March 28, 2025, Slipz (@shotbyslipz), who is IShowSpeed’s cameraman, responded to these accusations in a post on the streamer’s official X community, known as SPEED GANG.
Addressing the claims regarding potential government funding, Slipz provided clarification:
“Fact: amount of money IShowSpeed has received from the Chinese Government = $0. Posting so it can be used as an actual source 🤷♂️ Hi I am internal with the IShowSpeed team. He is in China at his own expense, and will likely take a net loss.”
A questioning fan, @maurici12329592, sought to understand how this tour could lead to a financial deficit despite high viewership. Slipz elaborated on the expenses involved:
“(X user @maurici12329592 writes, ‘My Question is how is a net loss the amount of views he is getting on his main channel and his other channels, that makes no sense.’) Traveling every other day with 6 people + himself in first class & 5-star hotels adds up rather quickly. The amount he spent on travel in 2024 is an insane number that I don’t think anyone here would guess or expect.”
Chinese Embassy’s Recognition of IShowSpeed
On March 26, 2025, the Chinese embassy in the United States took to their official X account to commend IShowSpeed. They highlighted his contribution to fostering cultural understanding, stating:
“The 20-year-old popular American YouTuber #IShowSpeed @ishowspeedsuii has kicked off a journey in #China that has already garnered massive global attention, which indicates a broader trend of digital influencers bridging cultural gaps and creating alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a vibrant China.”
Additionally, speculation surrounding a potential collaboration between IShowSpeed and iconic martial artist Jackie Chan has surfaced during his live streams in China, further amplifying the excitement around his activities.