A viral investigation by YouTuber Nick Shirley into alleged fraud at Minnesota child care facilities is drawing high-profile praise from top conservatives, including Vice President JD Vance, and intensifying scrutiny on state leadership as federal authorities ramp up attention.
Shirley’s video, “I Investigated Minnesota’s Billion Dollar Fraud Scandal,” exploded online last week, racking up more than 100 million views on X. The footage documents Shirley traveling to day care centers across Minnesota, where several locations appear largely deserted. In cases where staff are present, Shirley presses workers with questions about operations and alleged fraud. At one point, the encounter escalates to the point where law enforcement escorts him out of a health care facility.
The investigation struck a nerve on the right. Vice President JD Vance reposted the video and praised Shirley’s work, saying it surpassed the usefulness of mainstream accolades. “This dude has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 @pulitzercenter prizes,” Vance wrote.
This dude has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 @pulitzercenter prizes. https://t.co/Ip6f9IedjL
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 27, 2025
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk also amplified the video, posting it to X with a pointed message calling to “Prosecute @GovTimWalz.” Musk later highlighted the staggering reach of the investigation, noting that the view count exceeded the combined daily readership of all newspapers in America.
Shirley, who appeared at a White House roundtable in October, also drew attention from lawmakers. Rep. Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, reposted the video and publicly demanded answers. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel announced a surge in “personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota” in response to what he described as “recent social media reports,” signaling that the allegations are being taken seriously at the federal level.
The renewed focus comes after a report by the New York Times detailed a sweeping fraud scheme in Minnesota. Federal prosecutors alleged that more than $1 billion in taxpayer money was stolen. According to the U.S. attorney’s office for Minnesota, Somali Americans made up 89 percent of the defendants charged in the case.
As the controversy gained traction, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz moved to defend his administration’s record. On Monday, Walz described his efforts to combat fraud as “aggressive,” attempting to contain the political fallout generated by Shirley’s video and the broader investigation.
More than any the daily readership of all newspapers in America combined https://t.co/5ZqlH5SlfI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 29, 2025
In a statement provided to Fox News, a spokesperson for the governor said Walz has spent years working to crack down on fraud and has repeatedly asked the state legislature for expanded authority to act more forcefully.
The spokesperson said the governor strengthened oversight measures, including launching investigations into the specific facilities highlighted, adding that one of those locations had already been closed.
Even so, the viral investigation has fueled growing demands for accountability. With millions of Americans viewing Shirley’s reporting and top conservatives elevating his findings, pressure continues to mount on Minnesota officials as law enforcement steps up its response and the debate over oversight, transparency, and taxpayer dollars intensifies.
[READ MORE: Federal Judge Halts Parts of West Virginia’s Artificial Dye Ban Pending Further Review]
