The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: “Chasing Pirates” in Minnesota: Exposing the Tim Walz Fraud ft. Nick Shirley
Date: December 30, 2025
Host(s): Andrew Colvett (interim), Blake Neff (co-host, remote)
Guest(s): Tricia McLaughlin (Assistant Secretary, DHS), Nick Shirley (independent journalist)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the explosive Medicaid and daycare fraud scandal in Minnesota, with a special spotlight on massive taxpayer-funded fraudulent activity linked to Somali-run businesses. Host Andrew Colvett, with co-host Blake Neff, dives into the details with DHS’s Tricia McLaughlin and the independent journalist who brought the scandal to viral prominence, Nick Shirley. The discussion focuses on the investigation’s bread crumb trail, the potential political and social fallout for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and what the scandal means for immigration, public benefits, and government accountability nationwide.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota's Fraud Scandal and Federal Response

Guest: Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

• Magnitude of the Scandal

  • Federal investigators are going door to door at suspected fraud sites, scrutinizing daycares and healthcare businesses that are funneling millions in public funds under false pretenses.

    "Homeland Security investigators are going door to door to these suspected fraud sites, ... to get more information and to make sure we're following the money here." — Tricia McLaughlin, [03:13]

• Operation Twin Shields

  • Ongoing ICE operation in Minneapolis has resulted in the arrest of about 500 illegal aliens, many of Somali origin, alongside another 1,000 USCIS immigration fraud cases (about 50% confirmed as fraud).

    "We've arrested about 500 illegal aliens, many of which are from the Somalian population." — Tricia McLaughlin, [03:30]

• Denaturalization as a Tool

  • The Trump administration is focusing on auditing citizenships, especially for those who may have acquired them via fraudulent means.

    "If someone was engaging in widespread fraud from when they arrived, that would seem like a valid grounds to say giving you citizenship was a mistake..." — Blake Neff, [04:12]

• Nationwide Implications

  • Similar fraud patterns are emerging in other Somali population centers such as Columbus, Ohio, Washington State, and California, making Minnesota a “blueprint” for nationwide investigations.

    "I think you're gonna see that Minnesota is a blueprint for what's going to happen nationwide." — Tricia McLaughlin, [06:35]

• Data Sharing Rulings

  • Legal changes now permit Medicaid data sharing with ICE, enhancing investigation capabilities and threatening exposure of states complicit in fraud.

    "If they're in the country illegally, it helps us to really target these people and remove them from the country." — Tricia McLaughlin, [07:57]

2. Media, Political, & Social Fallout

Hosts: Andrew Colvett & Blake Neff

• Media Backlash & ‘Stand Your Ground’ Hysteria

  • Discussion on Politico reporter Josh Gerstein’s controversial suggestion that anti-fraud activists could be endangered by ‘stand your ground’ laws while knocking on suspicious business locations.

    "They think stand your ground is a magical thing that lets you just shoot anyone for any reason. And no, it's never worked that way." — Blake Neff, [11:15]

  • Commentary on mainstream media’s hostility towards whistleblowers and the broader erosion of journalistic ethics.

    "Instead of supporting exposing this... he says, when you expose fraud, you should kill these people. You should shoot them. This is insane." — Andrew Colvett, [13:00]

• Political Maneuvers & Backlash

  • Notes on anticipated Democratic efforts to resist accountability; Rep. Swalwell and Pelosi’s plans to retaliate against President Trump and his Cabinet if power shifts.

    "They're going to try and grab headlines... It's a testament to the Trump administration of just how effective they are." — Andrew Colvett, [14:40]

3. Nick Shirley's Investigation: Chasing Pirates

Guest: Nick Shirley, Independent Journalist [Interview Segment Begins 17:08]

• Background & Methods

  • Nick Shirley, with the support of local figure “David,” exposed fraudulent daycare operations, amplifying years of local sleuthing.

    “I was super happy to be able to amplify his voice and his work that he's been able to do and with my work as well.” — Nick Shirley, [18:08]

• Staggering Scale of the Fraud

  • Nick believes up to $9 billion has been funneled fraudulently, suspecting high-level political complicity.

    "I think $9 billion is a lot of money. And so if the governor is knowing that all this money is going out… the governor should know about $9 billion being sent to these welfare programs." — Nick Shirley, [22:21]

• Demographics and the ‘Voting Bloc’ Factor

  • Neighborhoods in Minneapolis now overwhelmingly Somali; welfare dependency is rampant, and local politicians are accused of enabling fraud to secure votes.

    "Like 95% in certain neighborhoods throughout Minneapolis... 81% of the population, the small population here in Minnesota lives off of welfare." — Nick Shirley, [23:12]

• Pushback, Security Concerns, and Media Smears

  • After the expose went viral, Nick Sherly faced significant personal risk, including doxxing of family members and hostile press attention.

    "Right now I have security with me... people are doxing like me. They're doxing like members of my family." — Nick Shirley, [27:07]

• Reactions from the Community

  • Flood of positive messages from Minnesotans grateful for the exposure of fraud and demanding accountability.

    "Everyone's thankful that this fraud is being exposed. Nobody wants their money going to fraudulent businesses." — Nick Shirley, [25:41]

• Governor Tim Walz's Response & Accusations of Racism

  • Governor Walz accuses Trump administration of white supremacy and scapegoating in response to the probe.

    “He doesn't know what to do because he knows the fraud's catching up. …And then he's gonna blame the white man. Like what's he thinking?” — Nick Shirley, [24:47]

4. Broader Lessons & Policy Takeaways

Hosts & Panel

• Immigration & Welfare Debate

  • Calls for tighter scrutiny — or outright rejection — of immigration streams that immediately require extensive welfare, suggesting “just deport, deport, deport.”

    "We just shouldn't do this in the first place with people that we're bringing from the other side of the world. If they need infinite welfare... they probably just shouldn't be here in the first place." — Blake Neff, [28:53]

• Accountability & Legal Obstacles

  • Hosts and guests are skeptical on whether Minnesota officials (like Walz or AG Keith Ellison) will ever face real prosecution, cautioning that political solutions may be more feasible than legal ones, and that the real task is to expose and end fraudulent practices.

    “When people just bellow that they want someone arrested… Sometimes our side goes off a little half cocked. I think the most important thing is actually getting the fraud itself.” — Blake Neff, [34:08]

• Minnesota’s Future: Bleeding Taxpayers

  • Discussion of Minnesota’s outmigration of “productive citizens” due to political and financial mismanagement.

    “Minnesota is a state that it's absolutely bleeding. Anyone who's a taxpayer, anyone who's a functional member of society...” — Blake Neff, [35:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tricia McLaughlin on Government Complicity:

  “These states… are so afraid [to release data] because it's going to show that they were culpable, that they knew that this fraud was occurring and not only let it occur, but enabled it.” [08:37]

• Nick Shirley on Community Impact:

  “Nobody wants their money going to fraudulent businesses like daycares or even having the potential to be wired off to Somalia. Our money should stay here inside the United States, especially if it's tax dollars.” [25:41]

• On the Immigration-Welfare Nexus:

  “81% of the small [Somali] population here in Minnesota lives off of welfare. These people have four wives and they run these daycare companies. I doubt they're paying the wives. And so then those wives are able to also claim welfare while they're receiving millions of dollars from the government.” — Nick Shirley, [23:17]

• Political Evasion Patterns:

  “Anything he doesn't like he's just going to instantly shut it down by pointing and screaming racist. And the sad thing is it's Minnesota, so it might work.” — Blake Neff, [25:06]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:13] Tricia McLaughlin describes on-the-ground federal investigations in Minnesota.
• [06:35] “Minnesota is a blueprint” — plans for nationwide expansion of the anti-fraud probe.
• [07:57] Medicaid data sharing ruling and exposure of Democratic state complicity.
• [13:00] Hosts critique mainstream media's stance on whistleblowing via the ‘stand your ground’ scare.
• [17:08] Nick Shirley joins the show; explains how the investigation unfolded.
• [22:21] Nick lays out the $9B scale and direct challenge to Governor Walz's knowledge.
• [23:12] Demographic and welfare statistics from Nick's field work in Minneapolis.
• [24:14] Clip of Tim Walz denouncing the federal investigation as “white supremacy.”
• [27:07] Nick explains increased security needs due to doxxing and threats.
• [34:08] Reality check on likelihood of top-level prosecutions; advice for residents.

Summary & Utility

This episode is a comprehensive and emotionally charged breakdown of what the hosts and guests characterize as an unprecedented level of systemic welfare fraud rooted in immigration abuses, specifically in Minnesota's Somali community. Combining investigative journalism, federal law enforcement insight, and sharp political analysis, it unpacks the mechanics of the fraud, the blowback against those exposing it, the accountability gap in state politics, and the broader policy implications for the entire country.

If you’re looking to understand the genesis, impact, and future trajectory of the Minnesota daycare/Medicaid fraud scandal — and what it means for debates on immigration, welfare, and Democratic accountability — this episode offers a detailed, insider perspective from both the government and on-the-ground journalists who made the story viral.

Contact for Listener Feedback:
Freedom@charliekirk.com

Support Nick Shirley’s security/future work:
blacklineguardianfund.com