Mainstream news outlets have largely ignored Nick Shirley's viral 42-minute video exposing alleged fraud in Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), with no coverage from major sources like The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, or CBS.
Right-leaning and conservative media, however, have amplified the report extensively. Fox News published a detailed article highlighting the "misspelled learning center" with no children visible despite receiving millions in funds, tying it to broader criticism of Gov. Tim Walz (D) and demanding explanations.
Other outlets like Mediaite, American Greatness, PJ Media, The Wrap, Twitchy, and KOMO News echoed similar coverage, focusing on the empty facilities, confrontations with staff, and political fallout, including Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) calling for Walz to respond.
The video has exploded online, surpassing 30 million views on X in under 24 hours (over 100 million combined with clips), with shares from figures like Elon Musk (who called for Walz's prosecution) and praise from conservative commentators.
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| Nick Shirley |
Criticism and skepticism are limited but present, mostly in online forums. Some Reddit users accuse Shirley of grifting, staging elements, or inflating claims, noting that daycare violations are common and not always indicative of fraud.
Others dismiss the video as racially charged or partisan.
No formal fact-checks debunking the core allegations have emerged yet, though critics argue the footage relies on visual observation without full verification of records or operations.
Overall, the response remains polarized: widespread enthusiasm on social media and right-leaning platforms, silence from legacy media, and scattered online pushback.