xQc slams modern subathons as ‘begging for money’, says streamers now use them to maximize income

Felix “xQc” Lengyel has explained why he has never hosted a subathon, and his view on the streaming trend is far from positive. During a recent stream with his father, the popular Twitch and Kick streamer was asked whether he had ever done a subathon. xQc used the question to explain how the format was originally used by streamers and why he believes its purpose has changed. While he acknowledged that subathons once helped creators earn enough money to get through several weeks or months, he argued that many streamers now use them simply to maximize their income.xQc says subathons have changed from survival to maximizing incomeThe discussion came during xQc’s September 3 stream, where he and his father answered some of the most searched questions about the streamer. The questions covered everything from his net worth and music preferences to his history with subathons.When asked whether he had ever done one, xQc called the question a strange one before explaining how the format was viewed in the earlier days of streaming.He said:“Way back in the day, like ages ago, people wouldn’t have to beg for money, right? Or whatever, because there were fewer subs back then, right? Fewer subscribers overall, and no Twitch subscribers. So people didn’t like begging for money because it’s lame, let’s be honest. Begging for money is lame.”According to xQc, streamers would sometimes run a subathon for two or three days. The goal was not necessarily to keep the event going for as long as possible. Instead, creators could use the money earned during that period to cover their expenses for the rest of the month or even longer.“So they would do one subathon, right? And it would last for, like, two or three days, right? And then they would have a good amount of money for the rest of the month, right? Even for months on end. So they were, like, good on money,” he continued.However, xQc believes the format has evolved.“But these days, nobody does that for that. Nowadays, subathons are, like, just a way to get, like, the most money possible,” he said.The streamer argued that modern subathons are less about simply supporting a creator through a difficult period and more about building up their earnings. He compared the approach to repeatedly asking viewers for financial support, even when the streamer is already financially secure.“Another way to survive is just a way to, like, build some stacks. But it’s, like, this guy’s, in a way, like, ‘Guys, support me,’ whatever, but their support… I mean, they have it in the bank, you know?” xQc added.His comments also explain why he has never felt the need to use the format himself.xQc recalls meeting Donald Trump in 2024The same stream produced another interesting moment when xQc was asked whether he had ever met Donald Trump.The streamer and his father confirmed that he had met the former US president in August 2024. xQc then recalled that Trump was polite during their interaction and spent more time with him than he expected.“He was very polite, and he was very welcoming, too. Yeah, and he spent more time than he had to. And I knew he was busy,” xQc said.The comments came while xQc was answering several personal questions alongside his father, giving viewers a glimpse into some of his experiences away from his regular streaming content.His remarks about subathons, however, were the more pointed part of the discussion. xQc did not reject the idea of viewers supporting streamers. Instead, his criticism was aimed at how he believes the format is now being used by some creators.For xQc, the difference comes down to purpose. He sees the older version of the subathon as a short-term way for streamers to secure enough income to keep going. Modern versions, in his view, are more focused on pushing subscription numbers and maximizing earnings.xQc explained why he has never hosted a subathon, arguing that the format has changed from a short-term way for streamers to secure enough money to survive into a tool for maximizing earnings. He also recalled meeting Donald Trump in August 2024, describing the former president as polite, welcoming, and willing to spend more time with him than expected.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.