Australian YouTuber Karl Jobst, known for his investigative reporting within the speedrunning and competitive gaming communities, has returned to the headlines with a newly filed defamation lawsuit against former Donkey Kong world record holder Billy Mitchell.
This legal action comes after Jobst’s previous courtroom defeat, where he was ordered to pay approximately $240,000 in damages to Mitchell following a defamation case held in Australia.
The ongoing dispute highlights the enduring controversy surrounding high-profile Donkey Kong records and the complex dynamics of credibility in the gaming world. The new lawsuit, filed on April 6th, 2026, in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida—where Mitchell resides—raises serious allegations.
Jobst asserts that Billy Mitchell engaged in 'unauthorized appropriation of name or likeness' and the 'intentional infliction of emotional distress.' According to the complaint, Jobst claims his reputation as a credible content creator and public figure has suffered significantly since the previous verdict, resulting in a noticeable decline in his YouTube earnings. In his court filing, Jobst describes the fallout from the Australian court decision, stating that his established reputation for honesty and trustworthiness has been undermined by Mitchell’s public statements.
The complaint specifically references comments made by Mitchell about Jobst’s crowdfunding activities, which Jobst alleges are false and deliberately misleading.
The documentation notes that Mitchell publicly accused Jobst of engaging in 'serious illegal activity' during a personal bankruptcy process and suggested that Jobst’s GoFundMe campaign was created 'with the intent to fund the lawsuit on false premises.' Jobst further supports his case by citing a post shared by Mitchell on Twitter, wherein Mitchell outlined his allegations regarding Jobst’s conduct.
Additionally, the lawsuit points to remarks made during Mitchell’s livestream in August 2025, where he accused Jobst of deceiving viewers, claiming Jobst 'scammed his viewers out of $200,000,' and later asserting the figure was 'more than $500,000.' Jobst’s complaint maintains that these statements were made 'with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.' The long-running saga between Jobst and Mitchell is set against the backdrop of Donkey Kong’s enduring legacy within the gaming industry.
Since the original arcade game's debut by Nintendo, competitive high-score chases and world record controversies have captivated players and audiences alike.
As legal disputes increasingly intersect with gaming culture, especially on platforms like YouTube and social media, the Jobst-Mitchell case remains one of the most closely watched narratives in the retro gaming and speedrunning communities. For ongoing updates on this and related Donkey Kong stories, continue to follow developments as the case progresses through the US courts.
This legal action comes after Jobst’s previous courtroom defeat, where he was ordered to pay approximately $240,000 in damages to Mitchell following a defamation case held in Australia.
The ongoing dispute highlights the enduring controversy surrounding high-profile Donkey Kong records and the complex dynamics of credibility in the gaming world. The new lawsuit, filed on April 6th, 2026, in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida—where Mitchell resides—raises serious allegations.
Jobst asserts that Billy Mitchell engaged in 'unauthorized appropriation of name or likeness' and the 'intentional infliction of emotional distress.' According to the complaint, Jobst claims his reputation as a credible content creator and public figure has suffered significantly since the previous verdict, resulting in a noticeable decline in his YouTube earnings. In his court filing, Jobst describes the fallout from the Australian court decision, stating that his established reputation for honesty and trustworthiness has been undermined by Mitchell’s public statements.
The complaint specifically references comments made by Mitchell about Jobst’s crowdfunding activities, which Jobst alleges are false and deliberately misleading.
The documentation notes that Mitchell publicly accused Jobst of engaging in 'serious illegal activity' during a personal bankruptcy process and suggested that Jobst’s GoFundMe campaign was created 'with the intent to fund the lawsuit on false premises.' Jobst further supports his case by citing a post shared by Mitchell on Twitter, wherein Mitchell outlined his allegations regarding Jobst’s conduct.
Additionally, the lawsuit points to remarks made during Mitchell’s livestream in August 2025, where he accused Jobst of deceiving viewers, claiming Jobst 'scammed his viewers out of $200,000,' and later asserting the figure was 'more than $500,000.' Jobst’s complaint maintains that these statements were made 'with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.' The long-running saga between Jobst and Mitchell is set against the backdrop of Donkey Kong’s enduring legacy within the gaming industry.
Since the original arcade game's debut by Nintendo, competitive high-score chases and world record controversies have captivated players and audiences alike.
As legal disputes increasingly intersect with gaming culture, especially on platforms like YouTube and social media, the Jobst-Mitchell case remains one of the most closely watched narratives in the retro gaming and speedrunning communities. For ongoing updates on this and related Donkey Kong stories, continue to follow developments as the case progresses through the US courts.
