Podcast Summary: The Viral Lie About Somali Americans—Qasim Rashid Breaks It Down

Podcast: The Find Out Podcast
Episode: The Viral Lie About Somali Americans— Qasim Rashid Breaks It Down
Date: December 30, 2025
Guest: Qasim Rashid, Civil Rights Attorney & Substack writer ("Let's Address This")
Hosts: Tim, Rich, Luke

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the recent surge in right-wing media outrage over alleged childcare fraud in Minnesota, specifically targeting Somali Americans. Host Tim invites guest Qasim Rashid to dissect the origins and political motivations behind these viral claims, providing critical context, factual debunking, and a broader discussion about the perpetuation of racial scapegoating in American politics during Trump's second term.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Debunking the Viral Claim ([02:15])

• Background:
  A right-wing influencer, Nick Shirley, produced a viral video claiming new revelations about Somali involvement in Minnesota childcare fraud.
• Qasim Rashid debunks the narrative:
  • The fraud cases are not new—reported since at least 2019, with prosecutions and shutdowns occurring by 2021–2022.
  • Shirley’s video repackages old news as a recent exposé for clickbait and right-wing culture war fuel.
• Quote:

  “For him to come in and pretend that, well, he's the one who broke this news … it's nonsense.” — Qasim Rashid (02:15)

2. Culture War and Racial Scapegoating ([04:56])

• Political Motivation:
  Trump has been attacking Somali Americans and Ilhan Omar; the right leverages the fraud angle to “otherize” Somalis and stoke racial animus.
• Misrepresentation:
  Despite the Somali community being only 1% of Minnesota’s population, right-wing narratives exaggerate their presence and blame.
• White Supremacy Connection:
  The campaign isn't truly about stopping fraud but about upholding white supremacy by singling out minorities.
• Quote:

  “If these folks really cared about fraud ... they should be screaming from the hilltops about Donald Trump pardoning at least 24 people convicted of fraud ... But they're completely silent.” — Qasim Rashid (03:47)

3. The Broader Fraud Landscape ([02:15, 08:15])

• Context:
  Childcare and healthcare fraud is a nationwide issue, amounting to tens of billions of dollars yearly, involving all races.
• Selective Outrage:
  The GOP and MAGA media only spotlight fraud when it can be linked to minorities.

4. Failures of the Media and Information Ecosystem ([09:15])

• Mainstream Media Inaction:
  Corporate media contributes by deprioritizing local news and not providing context, creating an information void filled by viral, misleading narratives.
• Why Left-Wing Outlets Matter:
  Podcasts and independent creators are critical for countering right-wing discipline with accessible, context-rich information.
• Quote:

  “Our voter base needs to have the information at hand. They need to understand how to fight disinformation with actual facts.” — Qasim Rashid (11:01)

5. Economic Anxiety and Scapegoats ([05:57])

• Classic GOP Playbook:
  When Republican policies create hardship (e.g. rising ACA rates), the party finds a scapegoat—in this case, Somalis—rather than admit policy failures.
• Historical Pattern:
  The demonization of a minority group is a tactic to distract from failing policies, reminiscent of Reagan’s “welfare queen” rhetoric.

6. Healthcare Fraud and Systemic Issues ([15:23])

• Fraud as Symptom of System:
  The commodification of healthcare creates incentives for fraud—by individuals, corporations, and even the system itself.
• Need for Universal Healthcare:
  Both parties are criticized: Republicans want total privatization, and Democrats’ incrementalism fails to address root problems.
• Quote:

  “If we guaranteed healthcare as a human right, you would eliminate 95% of the fraud.” — Qasim Rashid (15:23)

7. The Cost of Disinformation and the Left’s Response ([13:15, 17:11])

• Impact on Marginalized Groups:
  The targeting of Somalis results in real harm, regardless of whether the media cycle moves on.
• Left’s Complacency:
  Assuming stories are too ridiculous to gain traction, or being “elitist” about it, allows misinformation to spread.
• Grassroots & “Collateral Education”:
  Rashid advocates for “collateral education,” aiming messages at trolls to inform bystanders, not to convince the trolls themselves.

8. Double Standards and Privilege ([27:49])

• Who Gets Blamed:
  When white people commit fraud, the individual is blamed; when minorities do, the entire community is implicated.
• Quote:

  “If you're an immigrant … suddenly the entire community, on the mere accusation, is accountable. That is the double standard.” — Qasim Rashid (28:47)

9. Identity Politics, Representation, and the Merits Fallacy ([29:47, 33:30])

• Right-Wing “Identity Politics” Hypocrisy:
  The right invokes identity when their dominance is challenged, while falsely accusing minorities of divisiveness.
• Legacy Admissions vs. Affirmative Action:
  Data shows white legacy students at elite universities are, on average, less qualified than non-legacy applicants, yet only affirmative action for minority groups is attacked.
• Diversity’s Value:
  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is shown to benefit organizations and communities; opposition is rooted in maintaining privilege and a narrow status quo.

10. Progressive Messaging and Internal Critiques ([40:08])

• “Purity” Culture on the Left:
  The hosts and Rashid discuss how internal left-wing debates over language, offense, and “purity” can distract from broader objectives and unity.
• Quote:

  “Sometimes I feel like we become our own worst enemies ... that doesn’t effectively have any practical effect on solving [the actual problem].” — Qasim Rashid (43:03)

11. Masculinity and Right-Wing Cultural Narratives ([49:12])

• Redefining “Alpha Male”:
  Rather than adopting right-wing toxic masculinity, Rashid describes true strength and leadership as integrity, respect, and self-control.
• Quote:

  “To me an alpha male is somebody who leads with integrity, respect, and dignity … who is secure, and recognizes true strength comes in self-control.” — Qasim Rashid (49:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scapegoating Somalis:

  “They're not the Borg … They're not like one mind that's going to assimilate people. The demonization is nuts.” — Kasim Rashid (05:51)

• On Left Dialogue:

  “If the audience doesn’t like the message, it’s possible the message isn’t for you … Trump packages everything perfectly for his audience.” — Rich (38:07)

• On Race and Representation:

  “White men have been 98% of US presidents, 94% of the US Supreme Court, … Now because you only control 85%, suddenly you're being persecuted. Like, give me a break. How fragile are you?” — Kasim Rashid (30:49)

• On Healthcare System Incentives:

  “Goldman Sachs had … the headline, ‘Is curing people of illness a sustainable business model?’” — Kasim Rashid (18:22)

• On Internal Divisions:

  “We are the tone police and it's killing us.” — Tim (41:43)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Debunking the Viral Video: [02:15]–[04:56]
• Culture War Context: [04:57]–[06:52]
• Media Critique and Need for New Outlets: [09:15]–[12:02]
• Healthcare Fraud and Systemic Critique: [15:23]–[23:31]
• Government Inefficiency Myth: [22:37]–[23:31]
• Double Standards in Accountability: [27:49]–[29:47]
• Representation, Merit, and DEI: [29:47]–[37:04]
• Progressive Messaging Pitfalls: [40:08]–[43:57]
• Masculinity & Cultural Narratives: [49:12]–[51:15]

Conclusion

The episode offers a sharp, wide-ranging breakdown of how and why the right targets marginalized groups like Somali Americans in manufactured scandals, tying these tactics back to historical patterns of distraction and racial scapegoating. Qasim Rashid brings data, practical strategies for media and activists, and constructive critiques of both parties. The panel closes by reflecting on messaging, internal unity, and the need to reclaim narratives from the right—while never losing sight of the human consequences for communities in the political crosshairs.

For a deeper exploration, check out Qasim Rashid’s Substack “Let’s Address This” and listen to this episode for unapologetic, insightful, left-wing real talk about America during Trump’s second term.