Karl Jobst Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Donkey Kong Record Holder Billy Mitchell
Australian YouTube content creator Karl Jobst has officially filed a defamation lawsuit against Donkey Kong record holder Billy Mitchell. This legal action targets the allegations made by Mitchell following their previous high-profile dispute, which concluded last year. The filing, submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accuses Mitchell of unauthorized appropriation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Jobst emphasizes his status as a creator with over 1 million subscribers, arguing that Mitchell's false statements have severely damaged his reputation and credibility.
Escalating Legal Battle Over Credibility and Earnings
The current lawsuit is a direct response to the April 2025 ruling where the court sided with Mitchell in a prior defamation case. In that earlier dispute regarding Jobst’s video, The Biggest Conmen in Video Game History Strike Again!, Jobst was ordered to pay Mitchell approximately $240,000 (AU$340,000). However, Jobst now claims that Mitchell continued to make false statements during his subsequent bankruptcy process and crowdfunding campaigns. These specific allegations were made with "knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth," according to the complaint.
Jobst argues that these actions have caused him significant presumed damages and actual injury, including:
- Severe insult, pain, embarrassment, and emotional suffering
- Harmful impacts on his relationship with his audience
- Lost future earnings due to reputational damage
- Financial instability related to the bankruptcy proceedings
Specific Allegations of Falsehoods in Public Statements
The complaint details several specific instances where Mitchell allegedly spread misinformation. One example involves an X/Twitter post where Mitchell claimed Jobst "engaged in serious illegal activity before and during" his bankruptcy process. Another statement alleged that Jobst created a GoFundMe campaign with the intent to fund existing lawsuits on false premises. Most notably, during an August 2025 livestream, Mitchell asserted that Jobst had "scammed his viewers out of $200,000," later escalating this claim to "$500,000." Jobst has firmly denied all these allegations, maintaining the integrity of his financial and personal conduct.
Mitchell's Response to the Latest Filing
Since the complaint was filed on April 8, Billy Mitchell has responded with characteristic wit via an X post. While addressing the new legal action, he remarked, "I look forward to winning Best Supporting Actor again." This comment appears to be a nod to the previous court proceedings and the ongoing public nature of their conflict. Most replies to Mitchell's post focus on the history of their infamous dispute rather than the specific details of the current lawsuit. As this legal saga continues, the gaming community watches closely as two prominent figures clash over truth, reputation, and financial compensation.
