PBD Podcast Ep. 710: Who Is Nick Shirley?
Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Patrick Bet-David (PBD)
Guest: Nick Shirley

Episode Overview

This explosive episode spotlights independent journalist and YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose viral investigation into massive daycare fraud in Minnesota has sent shockwaves through both social media and government agencies. Host Patrick Bet-David dives deep into Shirley’s viral work, methods, personal background, the real-time government responses, and the heated backlash he’s faced. Amid calls for accountability, the dialogue explores the broader implications for citizen journalism, whistleblowing, and systemic corruption in public funding programs.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

The Viral Minnesota Daycare Fraud Exposé

• Genesis of the Viral Video

  • Nick Shirley describes a whirlwind week after releasing a video exposing alleged daycare fraud, now at over 150 million views.
  • "What I produced and put out...is the most viewed video by any other creator that's not named Mr. Beast for a long form video." – Nick Shirley [01:30]

• Investigation Tactics

  • Shirley and collaborator David investigate daycare centers in Minnesota, exposing buildings receiving millions in public funds without evidence of children enrolled.
  • Their approach: knock on doors, request enrollment information, and document non-responses and visibly empty facilities.
  • "We went and talked to the people...these people can’t even answer simple questions.” – Nick Shirley [02:11]

• Immediate Impact

  • The federal HHS immediately suspended $185 million in childcare funds to Minnesota, implementing stricter national spending verification procedures.
  • “Because you independently went out there and created this content, exposed it to everybody, and then allegedly ... they stopped $185 million of funding.” – PBD [04:48]

• Main Findings and Scale

  • Shirley estimates the fraud exposed in initial videos at over $100 million, with subsequent visits uncovering even more.
  • "I have to do all the numbers...but at least another $10 million." – Nick Shirley [09:26]
  • Many implicated businesses appeared to be owned and operated within the Somali community; official records back the claim that 89% of charges relate to this demographic.

• Documented Patterns

  • Footage revealed daycares with blacked-out windows, locked doors, and no children—yet government contracts for millions of dollars.
  • Kickback systems: parents enrolling “kids,” briefly visiting, then leaving and taking home “kickback” cash payments.
  • “They’re bringing in children and then...leaving after a few minutes...handing out envelopes of what are believed to be kickback payments to parents.” – Nick Shirley [15:55–16:31]

Whistleblowers, Government Inaction, and Repercussions

• Role of Whistleblowers

  • Nick Shirley and David relied on leaks from insiders within Minnesota’s state capitol to gather data and establish credibility [11:18].
  • Since the video’s release, Shirley reports an explosion of messages from new whistleblowers offering evidence from other states [17:15].

• Political and Media Response

  • Shirley faces both viral support and fierce backlash, including hit pieces by mainstream media (notably CNN), hostile confrontations with the Somali community, and doxxing of his family.
  • High-profile figures, from Elon Musk to GOP politicians, retweet and amplify Shirley’s findings.
  • “The Vice President responded, ‘This dude has done more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 Pulitzer Center Prize.’” – PBD [19:25]

• Institutional Coverups & Accusations

  • Some state and local officials frame the allegations and investigation as racially motivated or tied to Islamophobia, while others admit fraud has been ongoing for years but minimize urgency or deflect blame.
  • “They try to call you Islamophobe, racist...Meanwhile, I’m interviewing another black man in Minnesota and they’re calling me a racist.” – Nick Shirley [42:22]

• Direct Threats and Security

  • Shirley details needing security due to in-person threats, social media doxxing, and being stalked while on location in Minnesota.
  • “A whole mob of Somalis came ... I had four people with me because of how crazy these people got.” [48:11]

Deeper Structural Issues

• The Funding Loopholes

  • Allegations spread beyond daycares: home healthcare, transportation, and other “shadow” businesses similarly implicated in misuse of public funds [20:30].
  • Fraud allowed by lax verification, rare inspections, and lack of prosecutorial urgency for fear of “targeting” specific communities.

• National Trends & Expansion

  • Viewers nationwide echo Shirley’s findings, requesting similar investigations in New York, California, Ohio, and Washington State.
  • “If you come to Columbus, Ohio, you will find the exact same fraud...I do not have your bravery to go out there and knock on doors like you did.” – Viewer in Ohio [37:47]

• Systemic Inertia and Public Cynicism

  • Despite arrest warrants and evidence, officials and judges have let many offenders walk free or overturned convictions—fueling public skepticism about accountability.
  • “49%...think nothing’s going to happen [to Gov. Waltz]” – PBD referencing live poll [79:50]

Nick Shirley: Background and Motivation

• Origins as a Creator

  • Shirley details his early YouTube career (high school pranks, vlogging), struggle with the algorithm, and pivot to politics after a mission in Chile [25:07–27:00].
  • He highlights his faith (LDS) as a source of discipline and resilience when engaging adversarial environments.
  • “You also just talk to thousands of people and you have such little success for how much work you put in.” – Nick Shirley [28:05]

• Philosophy on Journalism

  • Insists on keeping investigations direct and evidence-based, deliberately avoiding editorializing on race or immigration.
  • “I just showed you guys that fraud was happening, and now you guys are coming after me ... we’re just seeing that prices of homes are so expensive. I don’t even have a friend who can afford a home.” [82:54]

• Personal Challenges

  • Endured social ostracism in high school for his YouTube pursuit, but credits persistence and family ties for continued drive [119:10].
  • “I got blacklisted for doing what I’m doing today...Our relationships will never ever be the same because of how bad they treated me, they never stood up for me...” – Nick Shirley [119:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Power of Social Media Journalism:

  • “At some point, amateurs have to do the job that professional journalists refuse to do. That’s what's called courage.” – PBD [31:51]

• Impact of the Exposé:

  • “Never before have one of their investigations ever led to a point where they say, ‘Oh, wait, we're going to stop funding and we're going to make sure everything's legit before we start giving them money.’” – Nick Shirley [41:19]

• On Institutional Inaction:

  • “Tim Waltz literally admits to the fraud. He’s been talking about fraud for years...if it’s been happening for years, why don’t you stop it?” – Nick Shirley [20:30]

• On Minnesota’s Response:

  • “We have dozens of credible whistleblower reports saying...people were told not to say anything because they’d be called racist or Islamophobic...that protection...is what really allowed this fraud to flourish.”
    – Rep. Kristen Robbins, Minnesota, via Shirley [90:08]

• On Facing Accusations:

  • “You’re sensationalizing...you’re preparing for the Somali community to maybe be taken to concentration camps, just like the Japanese community...you hate Muslims.” – Somali community member confrontation [43:04–44:39]

• On Perseverance:

  • “I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t do drugs, I’m a virgin. I don’t have sex with random girls...they can’t get me for anything.” – Nick Shirley [117:00]

Key Timestamps

• [01:16–02:11] Nick Shirley’s rise to fame, viral video impact
• [04:04–04:48] Federal response: HHS freezes $185M in funding
• [09:53–11:53] The $100,000 challenge: David’s role and government source
• [13:06] David’s testimony: “Largest fraud in the history of the country.”
• [15:55–16:53] Footage of kickbacks, how the fraud works
• [19:25] National political figures amplify Shirley's work
• [22:58–23:37] Gov. Waltz touts daycare growth; Shirley exposes reality
• [27:00–28:40] Shirley’s faith and mission, influence on career
• [41:29] Shirley’s exposés force policy and funding changes
• [42:03–48:11] Facing physical danger, needing security
• [49:21–51:29] Viral video: Somali man boasts about welfare system
• [53:34–56:14] Tim Waltz’s long-standing awareness of fraud
• [77:27–78:41] Ilhan Omar’s take; what happens next for Gov. Waltz
• [79:50] Live audience/new media polls: Public pessimism about reform
• [90:08–90:52] Rep. Robbins: Whistleblowers silenced to avoid “Islamophobia”
• [119:10–120:55] Shirley’s personal isolation, perseverance, belief in calling

Action Steps & Closing Takeaways

• How to Support

  • Subscribe, share, and engage with Nick Shirley’s content.
  • Follow and amplify independent journalists spotlighting public corruption.
  • Send information, leads, or appreciation via Manect or Shirley’s social media links.
  • “Start young...if you believe in your instincts, go for it...your instinct in your gut is God telling you what to do, especially if it’s good.” – Nick Shirley [119:51]

• What’s Next

  • Shirley is editing and releasing Part 2 of his Minnesota exposé, promising deeper revelations about the infrastructure that enables mass fraud.
  • He’s fielding requests to investigate similar abuses in other states and encourages others to do the same.

• Broader Themes

  • The episode underscores the transformational potential of independent journalism.
  • Fears around being labeled a racist/Islamophobe have stymied genuine oversight—Shirley’s direct, grassroots approach is shifting the landscape.
  • “You can’t teach courage. You got it, major props to you.” – PBD [45:34]

Final Thoughts

Nick Shirley’s story is an explosive case study in the impact of citizen journalism, the dangers and sacrifices involved, and the urgent need for transparency and institutional accountability. The episode leaves listeners with a call to action—support those risking everything to challenge corruption, because, as this saga proves, journalism can still spark change.

End of Summary.