Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Brett Cooper Show
Host: Brett Cooper
Episode: Nick Shirley: The Man That Exposed a $10B Cover-Up | Episode 113
Date: January 4, 2026

Main Theme:
Brett Cooper dives into the explosive revelations uncovered by independent journalist Nick Shirley regarding massive nonprofit and transfer payment fraud in Minnesota, largely centering around Somali-run daycares, healthcare centers, and other government-funded institutions. The episode explores the origins of the scandal, Shirley’s viral investigation, the political and media fallout, and the wider implications for immigration, governance, and public trust.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap: The Feeding Our Future Scandal

• Background:
  The scandal began with Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit that became the largest recipient of government funds for Minneapolis during the pandemic, later discovered as the epicenter of a vast fraud operation.

• Scope:
  Over three years, "more than 78 people have been charged after pocketing $250 million," with funds used for luxury purchases and, reportedly, terrorist financing in Somalia. (00:37)

• Broader Impact:
  This fraud extended beyond one nonprofit and reached into other organizations meant to support the homeless and autistic children. The estimated fraud now surpasses "$10 billion, which is almost more than the GDP of Somalia itself." (01:44)

2. Nick Shirley’s Investigation Goes Viral

• Shirley's Approach:
  Nick Shirley, a young independent journalist, released a 42-minute expose post-Christmas, visiting Minnesota's Somali-run centers purporting to serve children or the needy. Repeatedly, he found "basically nothing. No children, no patients, barely functioning businesses that somehow still receive massive payouts from the Minnesota government." (02:22)

• Sample On-the-Ground Questioning:
  “Hello, we'd like to ask where the money's going. What do you guys think about the fraud that's taking place here in Minnesota?” – Nick Shirley (02:42)

• Video Impact:
  Shirley’s video quickly "racked up more than 77 billion impressions" (an exaggeration for effect), ultimately totaling 135 million. (03:29) The expose fostered major public debate and drew attention to irregularities and lack of accountability.

• Personal Backstory:
  Brett highlights Shirley’s years of grassroots journalism—starting at 15, taking a two-year Mormon mission, and then reporting solo or with his mother filming. This builds legitimacy and a sense of authenticity around Nick’s activism. (03:56)

3. Backlash and Political Spin

• Deflection By Authorities:
  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz responded by deflecting blame:
  “It's not law abiding citizens. If that were the case, there's a lot of white men should be holding a lot of white men accountable for the crimes that they have committed.” – Gov. Tim Walz (05:54)

  Brett’s take: "Let's not focus on them. Let's focus on the white man. Let's blame everything on the white man, because that is more comfortable, that is more inclusive and politically correct in Tim Walls framework." (06:26)

• Accusations of Partisan Targeting:
  Critics on the left alleged a coordinated GOP smear:
  "Our president decided he doesn't like the Somali community... they sent a YouTuber out to create the narrative they want out there, not the truth." (06:58)

• Media Focus:
  Instead of investigating the substance of Nick’s findings, major outlets like NPR and social media commentators attempted to paint Shirley as a plant or propagandist, with wild theories about funding from Israel or the GOP. (07:19)

• Nick’s Response to Smears:
  “I'm like, what sucks for them is they're never going to be able to get me. I don't drink alcohol, I don't do drugs. I'm a virgin. I don't have sex with random girls... I believe in God. I'm everything they hate.” – Nick Shirley (10:31)

4. Ripple Effects and the New Investigative Wave

• Shirley as Role Model:
  Brett argues the right doesn’t need to “manufacture” new leaders after the loss of Charlie Kirk:
  "Nick Shirley out here... never got distracted, never got involved with fighting." (11:01) Shirley is sparking similar investigations nationwide, revealing Medicaid fraud and other schemes. "Young men around the country are grabbing cameras and... uncovering massive fraud." (11:36)

• Mainstream Media’s Slow Response:
  Mainstream coverage lagged behind Shirley’s viral work, with CNN only recently contacting implicated centers. Brett mocks their "investigation": “You sat in your office and you called some daycares and they said, oh, no, actually we're very legitimate. I'm sorry, is that really the best you can do?” (13:03)

• Break-Ins and Potential Cover-Ups:
  Following the videos, implicated centers report break-ins and conveniently missing records.
  "The only thing that was stolen was our important government documents that show how much money we get and how many children we have. They're just gone." (14:10)

• Internet Satire and Public Reaction:
  The luxury lifestyle of daycare operators (e.g., a manager's $2,400 glasses) and meme culture underscore public skepticism. (14:22)

5. The Numbers Don't Add Up

• Statistical Red Flags:
  "1,794 daycare centers in Minnesota. 1,235 list a Somali sounding name as the owner for 111,000 children. Total Somali population is only 84,000... 81% on welfare. If the parents are not working... why do they need childcare?" (17:51)

• Accusations of Playing the Race Card:
  Some centers threatened to label any oversight as racist if state funding was scrutinized, highlighting cultural and bureaucratic gridlock. (18:34)

6. Systemic Issues and Continuation of Fraud

• Repeat Offenders Still Funded:
  People previously indicted in fraud—like Muhammad Mohamed—are still receiving massive taxpayer funds for other ventures. (19:09)

• Failure of State Oversight:
  "So what we've learned here is that the same people who were indicted in that massive Feeding Our Future fraud scheme are still being given government funding today. Amazing." (19:51)

• Frustration Over Inaction:
  Brett criticizes both parties for “exhaustion” and lack of decisive reform:
  “We are all just exhausted by the fraud and the lies on the left, the inaction from the right.” (23:07)

7. Outcomes and Next Steps

• Federal Response Triggered:
  Due to public outcry, the Trump administration announced a halt on all childcare payments to Minnesota pending verification, and new congressional hearings are scheduled.

  • "The Trump administration officially announced that they have halted all childcare payments to Minnesota and they are now requiring verification before sending any more AFC federal dollars to a state..." (23:36)
  • First congressional hearing: January 7th; Gov. Tim Walz invited to testify in February. (24:14)

• Calls for Accountability:
  Brett reiterates the need for both media and government to demand real accountability and oversight, so taxpayers aren’t left paying for fraud. "Americans are waking up to the reality that our hard earned money... is going to fraud and that our government barely keeps track." (24:33)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “There are no children inside of this building. And that is probably the common thread of that entire 42 minute video.” – Brett Cooper (03:03)
• “He is actually a good role model for young people, especially for young men.” – Brett Cooper on Nick Shirley (11:01)
• “The company is Quality Learning Center, a cutting edge children's daycare located in the heart of Minneapolis. Yes. If you wanna go get rich, that is the way to do it, apparently.” – Brett Cooper, summarizing satirical internet memes (14:40)
• “So what are they going to get me for?... I'm everything they hate.” – Nick Shirley (10:31)
• "What we want to know is, what are you doing now? What are you doing with this new information that has been uncovered by independent journalists? Because it's making us think that you are not actually doing your job." – Brett Cooper (21:44)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:00-01:44 — Recap and background of the Feeding Our Future scandal
• 02:22-03:29 — Nick Shirley’s expose and initial findings
• 03:56-05:54 — Shirley’s background and investigative style
• 05:54-06:58 — Governor Walz’s and left-wing responses
• 07:19-10:31 — Media smears, conspiracy theories, and Shirley’s rebuttal
• 11:01-13:03 — Shirley’s influence and the new wave of citizen journalism
• 13:03-14:24 — CNN’s coverage, alleged break-ins, and public reaction
• 17:51-18:34 — Statistical anomalies and racialization of oversight
• 19:09-19:51 — Ongoing payments to previously indicted fraudsters
• 21:44-23:36 — Federal response, congressional hearings, and GOP positioning
• 24:14-24:36 — Brett’s closing thoughts on accountability and taxpayer impact

Conclusion

Brett Cooper’s episode offers a sweeping indictment of nonprofit sector mismanagement, state and federal government oversight failures, and media reluctance—centered around Nick Shirley's explosive on-the-ground journalism. The episode blends skepticism, satire, and frustration, amplifying the call for accountability as the scandal triggers national attention and (potentially) meaningful action. The tone is fervently anti-establishment, with an undercurrent of hope that citizen journalism can drive real reform, provided the American public remains vigilant and demanding.