YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral overnight after he posted a 42-minute video documenting his search for fraudulent child care programs in Minnesota.
Shirley’s video, which has been viewed more than 100 million times on social platform X, shows him visiting a daycare center that receives public funding.
The 23-year-old claimed that multiple local centers were not providing services to any children and that staff were constantly questioned about the whereabouts of children via cameras outside each centre.
The vlog-style recording went viral following a federal investigation into the fraudulent Feed Our Future nonprofit in Minnesota, which determined the nonprofit misappropriated millions of dollars in funds for low-income children during the pandemic. Although a white woman was found to be the ringleader of the scheme, a group of Somali-American immigrants were charged in connection with the scam.
MAGA Praise
Shirley’s video sparked a political crossfire between the MAGA base and Trump administration officials, who amplified the problem of fraud in the North Star State.
Vice President Vance praised Shirley for engaging with day care center leaders at work and asking them questions.
“This guy is doing far more useful journalism than any winner of the 2024 @pulitzercenter award,” Vance wrote in a post on X.
FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in.
“The FBI believes this is just the tip of the iceberg. We will continue to trace the funds and protect children as this investigation continues,” Patel wrote in a Sunday X post.
Shirley’s relationship with President Trump’s officials is not new. Earlier this year, he participated in an Antifa roundtable at the White House to discuss the Antifa movement, which was later designated a terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
Claims to be a journalist
Shirley faced pushback from some members of the traditional media for calling herself a journalist. He has no background in reporting but is known for his widely known videos discussing political topics, interviewing people and sharing commentary on world events.
The last few videos on his YouTube channel include one titled “Inside the Muslim-Christian War in America” ​​and one titled “Confronting New York City’s Deported Immigration Scammers.”
Last year, he shared footage from inside the CECOT maximum security prison in El Salvador.
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