The independent journalist behind a viral video showing visits to daycare centers in Minnesota has delivered a blunt message aimed at President Donald Trump.
“There better be change because, like I said, we work way too hard to be paying taxes. We work way too hard to be not knowing where our money is going,” Nick Shirley said during an appearance on Fox News’ The Big Weekend Show.
He added: “If President Trump’s watching this, it’s time to really get down to nitty-gritty and to make a difference in this place of Minnesota that is pretty much like Somaliland right now.”
Shirley’s 42-minute video has exploded on X, drawing more than 100 million views since he posted it Friday. In the video, he visits multiple sites—including at least one daycare that he alleges received millions of dollars in state funding despite appearing to be inactive.
A spokesperson for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, told Fox News the governor has spent years working to “crack down on fraud” and tighten oversight of state programs, including launching investigations into the facilities highlighted.
Why It Matters
Prosecutors have said fraud schemes targeting Minnesota-run programs could have led to billions of dollars in losses.
The issue has also become politically and culturally charged. Many—but not all—defendants charged so far are Somali Americans. Trump has pointed to that in criticizing Minnesota’s leadership, describing the state as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” under Walz. Somali Americans, meanwhile, have warned against painting an entire community as responsible for the actions of a subset of individuals.
Walz, who is seeking a third term, has faced sustained criticism—particularly from Trump and Republicans—over fraud that occurred during his administration.
What to Know
In the interview, Shirley said the alleged fraud across daycare centers and other facilities is impossible to miss.
He said: “If you’re living in Minnesota, you have to raise your eyebrows and think, what’s going on. Literally, if you drive around Minnesota, around Minneapolis, you will see daycare centers, autism centers, you will then see transportation companies that have snow piled up as if they haven’t moved in months.”
“A kindergartener could figure out that there’s fraud going on,” he added.
Meanwhile, FBI director Kash Patel said the FBI has deployed personnel and resources to Minnesota “to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.”
Patel said he was aware of recent social media reports in Minnesota—an apparent reference to Shirley’s video—but that the bureau had “surged” resources into the state “even before the public conversation escalated online.”
What People Are Saying
FBI director Kash Patel wrote on X: “To date, the FBI dismantled a $250 million fraud scheme that stole federal food aid meant for vulnerable children during COVID. The investigation exposed sham vendors, shell companies, and large-scale money laundering tied to the Feeding Our Future network.”
He added: “The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X in response to Shirley’s video: “This jaw-dropping reporting is an indictment of both the national news media and feckless, dangerous office holders in Minnesota like Tim Walz, who have allowed these massive fraud schemes to occur for years. NO MORE.
“@HouseOversight has expanded its investigation into these schemes. Republicans have demanded data from Gov. Walz, AG Ellison, the Treasury Department, and the Justice Department, and have requested interviews with several key officials in Minnesota who have allowed, or participated in this fraud. The American people deserve answers and accountability and House Republicans will help deliver it.”
A spokesperson for Governor Tim Walz told Fox News: “The governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and ask the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action. He has strengthened oversight — including launching investigations into these specific facilities, one of which was already closed.”
The spokesperson added that Walz has “hired an outside firm to audit payments to high-risk programs, shut down the Housing Stabilization Services program entirely, announced a new statewide program integrity director, and supported criminal prosecutions.”
Vice President JD Vance wrote on X: “What’s happening in Minnesota is a microcosm of the immigration [sic] fraud in our system. Politicans [sic] like it because they get power. Welfare cheats like it because they get rich. But it’s a zero sum game, and they’re stealing both money and political power from Minnesotans.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote on X, alongside a clip from Shirley: “One fraudulent business in Minnesota that misspelled ‘learning’ on its building received $1.9M this year while masquerading as a daycare. There are not enough words to describe the breathtaking failure that has happened under the watch of @GovTimWalz.”
What Happens Next
Patel has said the FBI will continue investigating fraud in Minnesota.
It remains to be seen whether Trump will respond directly to Shirley’s call for action.
