Nick Shirley, a young independent journalist, is making headlines after his viral video, which alleges that numerous fraudulent childcare centers in Minnesota are siphoning off government funds, has garnered substantial attention online. It has racked up an impressive 3 million views on YouTube and 135 million on X, with high-profile endorsements from Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk, who previously headed the Department of Government Efficiency.
In the video, Shirley, alongside a companion known only as “David,” investigates what they claim are Somali-operated childcare centers that are bilking the government out of millions without providing proper care for children. This exposé has caught the attention of federal officials, prompting the Department of Health and Human Services to pause childcare payments in Minnesota while investigating the veracity of the claims.
Minnesota’s Attorney General Pam Bondi praised Shirley’s findings, revealing that the Justice Department has already been probing fraud accusations in the state for months. To date, 98 individuals have been charged, with 85 of them being of Somali descent, and over 60 individuals have been convicted in court. Shirley’s video has been highlighted as instrumental in bringing to light these issues, with FBI Director Kash Patel stating that the fraud uncovered is merely “the tip of a very large iceberg,” indicating that investigations are ongoing.
During a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David, Shirley admitted that he has yet to be contacted by the FBI despite the video’s impact. He disclosed that he received crucial information from David, who had gathered extensive documentation on the alleged fraud.
Shirley noted that local journalism had been addressing these fraud claims for years, but it wasn’t until now that the story is gaining national visibility. His collaboration with David stemmed from a direct message on Instagram, where David provided compelling evidence of wrongdoing. Shirley has long been aware of these issues, particularly since June, but found it challenging to access the necessary information until he connected with David, who had valuable insider knowledge.
The Minnesota fraud allegations are part of a larger investigation into claims of billions taken from federal funds designated for vulnerable populations. This has led to the suspension of payments for 14 high-risk Medicaid programs across the state, which, since 2018, have reportedly incurred costs of $18 billion, with suspicions that over half may be fraudulent.
Despite the recognition from influential figures in the Trump administration for his investigative work, federal law enforcement officials have yet to substantiate the claims presented in Shirley’s video. When questioned by CNN about the validity of his claims, Shirley pointed to his findings and encouraged independent analysis of the situation.
Among the troubling aspects revealed in the video are locked childcare centers with no children present at times they are purported to be operating. Shirley argued that while skeptics claim these centers secure their premises for safety, many were lacking transparency. He recalled visiting one center that claimed to be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, yet there were no children in sight during his visit.
Although some children were seen entering a daycare during a subsequent CNN report, Shirley argued that this was an attempt to “show face” following his revelations. The media coverage has not gone without criticism; Republican Senator Ted Cruz and others have accused CNN of downplaying the severity of the alleged fraud while defending the centers cited by Shirley. Additionally, Shirley labeled the CNN coverage as a “hit piece,” suggesting that the questioning from a reporter was biased.
This ongoing saga illustrates the significant concern over accountability in childcare funding and the importance of proper checks to safeguard against fraud. While challenges remain in the investigation processes, the increased scrutiny and public attention could pave the way for necessary reforms in the childcare sector.