Independent journalist Nick Shirley has reported receiving death threats, including warnings that he will be "Kirked"—a chilling reference to the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—following his viral video alleging widespread fraud in Minnesota's taxpayer-funded childcare programs.
The 23-year-old YouTuber posted a 42-minute investigative video on December 26, 2025, documenting visits to several daycare centers, many operated by members of the Somali community, that appeared empty or inactive despite receiving millions in public funds. Shirley claimed to have uncovered over $110 million in potential fraud in a single day of filming, highlighting misspelled signs, luxury vehicles, and facilities billing for services without visible children.
The video rapidly amassed over 100 million views on X, amplified by shares from high-profile figures including Elon Musk, JD Vance, and President Trump. It triggered federal actions, such as DHS and FBI investigations into Minnesota programs, ICE site visits, and a temporary freeze on some federal childcare payments to the state.
During an appearance on the PBD Podcast last week, Shirley described escalating harassment: online and in-person threats, doxxing of his family (including calls to his younger sister), and specific messages like "you're going to be Kirked" or "you'll be the next Kirk," invoking the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Shirley expressed frustration that the backlash focused on him rather than the alleged fraud, insisting his reporting was about accountability, not partisanship or anti-immigrant sentiment.
Minnesota officials and some centers have countered the claims, stating recent inspections found children present and no evidence of fraud at the filmed sites—though many had prior citations for safety or staffing issues. Critics accused Shirley of selective timing (e.g., off-hours filming) and promoting biased narratives amid broader, pre-existing probes into state fraud, including the $250 million Feeding Our Future scandal.