FULL SEND PODCAST – Ep. 180

Guest: Nick Shirley
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Summary by Episode Segments with Timestamps

Episode Overview

This episode features viral investigative YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose recent exposé on daycare fraud in Minnesota sparked national attention, led to the political downfall of Governor Tim Walz, and triggered government investigations. Nick discusses his investigative process, the backlash he’s faced, the broader implications of welfare fraud, his approach to content, and his plans to uncover corruption in other states. The conversation is candid, irreverent, and mixes humor with hard-hitting political critique.

1. New Year, Viral Moments, and Introduction to Nick Shirley (01:22–08:13)

• Hosts share New Year’s resolutions; mostly humor, gym, and sobriety claims.
• Viral pop-culture event: Discussion of the Alex Earl–Tom Brady New Year’s rumors. The hosts suspect it was a “set up” for publicity, joking about social climbing and media manipulation.
  • Quote:
    “That's the name of the game, dude...as a girl, dating a guy of status makes you so much more popping.” (04:44)
• Transition to Nick Shirley:
  • Recognized for going viral with YouTube investigations, especially related to daycare and welfare fraud.
  • Intro as a young, previously lesser-known creator who is suddenly at the center of politics and media coverage.

2. Nick Shirley’s Viral Exposé: Backstory and Fallout (08:13–13:58)

• Nick started YouTube at 15; 23 now, has uploaded weekly for two years.
  • Quote:
    “For the past two years, I've uploaded every week for over 104 weeks at this point.” – Nick Shirley (08:28)
• The daycare exposé in Minnesota documented nearly empty “learning centers,” misspelled facility names, and revealed major fraud.
• Unexpected consequences:
  • Direct threats, doxxing, and the need for personal/family security.
  • Death threats and hostility, particularly from those implicated.
  • 89% of identified fraudsters Somali—racial/religious tension in the backlash.
  • Nick’s work gets mainstream media attention, including Fox News and engagement from Elon Musk and politicians.
  • Quote:
    “Now I have people doxxing me, coming after my family... I have a security guy with me right now just because I pissed off a pretty bad group of people to piss off.” – Nick Shirley (08:43)

3. Deep Dive: How Did the Fraud Work? (10:16–21:27)

• Nick was tipped off by a local named David; learned of fake daycares, “learning centers” with no kids, and massive government payouts.
• The misspelled “Quality Leering Center” operated for 8 years, amassing nearly $2 million while maintaining over 90 violations.
• Money funneled through transportation companies and airports, cash potentially ending up in Somalia—some speculation about links to the terrorist group Al Shabaab.
• Governmental negligence (or complicity): Failure to notice or act—especially under Governor Tim Walz.
  • Quote:
    “He’s enabled the fraud to keep happening... How long would it take for you guys to notice someone from your—one of your employees is stealing a million million dollars?” – Nick Shirley (14:03)
• Nick’s viral video led to immediate freezing of funding, new investigations, and Waltz dropping out of re-election.
  • Quote:
    “I took out Tim Waltz. Like his political career as of right now is over.” – Nick Shirley (15:15)
• Nick’s neutrality and age made his expose more effective than legacy media.

4. Media, Political Reaction, and Personal Safety (13:31–26:27)

• Mainstream left-leaning media downplayed or attempted to debunk Nick; accused him of being “far right” or a “white supremacist.”
• Backlash included:
  • Doxxing of Nick’s family members.
  • Pervasive online attacks and attempts to undermine his credibility—even when facts are indisputable.
  • Support came from Officer Tatum’s nonprofit, providing security funding.
  • Nick’s parents, especially his mother, involved in filming content and emotionally/operationally supportive.
• Nick’s personal background: Clean lifestyle (sober, religious, no criminal record), which undercuts attacks against his character.
  • Quote:
    “I feel like I live my life in a pretty morally correct way... I don’t drink, don’t smoke, I’m not out here having sex with random girls. I’m a virgin.” – Nick Shirley (22:12)
• Reflection on what separates his reporting from partisan creators:
  • Refuses to align overtly with either side; focuses on field reporting and direct evidence.

5. The Scope of U.S. Welfare Fraud and Broader Corruption (17:05–29:56)

• Nick estimates Minnesota fraud in the tens of billions: “The government right now is saying anywhere, anywhere, upwards of 9 billion. David estimates...80 to 100 billion.” (18:58)
• Similar fraud believed to exist nationwide:
  • California: $24 billion missing for homelessness.
  • Political campaigns benefiting from NGO/charity/welfare scams.
  • Politicians protecting or benefiting from graft.
• Minnesota as a model for how easy it is for organized groups to exploit U.S. welfare—an indictment of systemic vulnerabilities.
• Nick’s impact: Legislation and federal action followed his video; 2,000 federal investigators now examining Minnesota alone (41:02).
  • Quote:
    “They just froze all the funding...across all 50 states...What I did, I could have saved America billions of dollars.” – Nick Shirley (20:22)
• Voting vulnerabilities: One legal voter can vouch for eight others in Minnesota, making fraud easy to perpetrate and conceal.

6. Culture, Media Strategy, and Content Plans (29:56–38:47)

• Nick’s approach: Neutrality, evidence-first, working independently, with a focus on field documentation vs desk commentary.
• On media appearances: Fox News, Don Jr., but CNN and others only attempt “gotcha” segments.
• Future plans: Investigate California, New York, nationwide—welfare, homelessness, and infrastructure fraud.
• Personal safety considered; increased notoriety means higher risk.
• Potential international content: Interest in exposing situations in Venezuela, Brazil, and elsewhere.
• Discussion of exposing daycares at scale: Warning against creators copying the formula without due diligence or factual backing.
  • Quote:
    “If you’re going to do it, make sure you do your due diligence.” – Nick Shirley (34:27)

7. The Broader Social and Political Climate (43:06–56:57)

• Quick rise to prominence:
  Nick’s X video garnered 135+ million views, and his following skyrocketed (over 1 million on X, 1.5 million on Instagram in a week).
• Emotional toll:
  Anxiety, sleeplessness, concern for family safety, but an underlying sense of duty.
  • Quote:
    “I think now… I've taken on a lot more responsibility.” – Nick Shirley (55:06)
• The right celebrates his impact; the left doubles down on denial.
  “How stupid you have to be to support fraud. Like, it makes no sense.” – Nick Shirley (49:55)
• The hosts praise Nick’s perseverance, integrity, and courage, noting his path from a small creator to a nationally significant journalist.

8. Notable Quotes and Moments

• On the “learning center” misspelling:
  “That daycare has been in existence for eight years, has over 90 violations...they put up ‘quality leering center.’” – Nick Shirley (11:30)
• On media reaction:
  “They just can’t accept the fact that fraud was happening and they didn’t get the story.” – Nick Shirley (13:31)
• On his lifestyle/credibility:
  “I try not to get too involved with anything. Like I said, I don’t drink, don’t smoke...I’m a virgin and go to church.” – Nick Shirley (22:12)
• On blowing the whistle:
  “I just exposed fraud, like isn’t that something everyone should be celebrating?” – Nick Shirley (16:27)
• On political duplicity:
  “That’s why he’s [Newsom] so dangerous... he’s a good bullshitter.” – Nick Shirley (48:45)

9. Final Segment: Reflections, Advice & Looking Ahead (56:58–end)

• Nick’s background:
  Family support, Mormon upbringing, one minor misdemeanor (bike stunt). Clean slate means attacks rarely land.
• Advice and inspiration:
  Persevere independently; don’t seek validation from big networks or established brands.
  • Quote:
    “It's better if you blow up not needing like a network.” – Nick Shirley (58:20)
• Nick declines debate-style content, believing real-world evidence has more impact than arguments.
• Hosts encourage Nick to continue exposing fraud, especially in California, to help taxpayers demand accountability.
• Nick reiterates it’s about the work, not partisan gain:
  “I think, like, what I'm doing right now is probably a little bit more important where people can really—it could really change people’s minds versus, like, a debate.” (54:50)

10. Episode Takeaways

• Nick Shirley is reshaping how youth-driven investigative journalism exposes defining political corruption stories, using social media reach and a disciplined, evidence-based approach.
• His viral work is credited with causing immediate political fallout, sparking legislative action, and mobilizing federal investigations.
• Despite threats, doxxing, and intense backlash, Nick remains committed to neutral, fact-driven reporting—and sets his sights on new targets.
• His authenticity, grounded lifestyle, and outsider status make him a unique figure in both new media and politics.

For More:
Find Nick Shirley on YouTube, X (Twitter), and Instagram for updates on his next investigations.
Stay tuned for Full Send Podcast’s international and U.S. political coverage in 2026.