One week ago, Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old, was mostly unknown. Now, thanks to endorsements from figures like Elon Musk and JD Vance, he’s garnered hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views.
Shirley gained attention with a video showing himself and a Minnesota activist investigating child care facilities that allegedly weren’t operating as daycares. Many on the right claim this highlights a pattern of government fraud, particularly involving the Somali community.
In today’s media landscape, anyone can go viral. Shirley’s Minnesota investigation video has racked up over 116 million views on X (formerly Twitter) and 1.6 million on YouTube. This level of viewership would make any traditional news outlet proud.
Shirley’s rise mirrors a larger trend. With mainstream media’s credibility waning, alternative voices are gaining trust among audiences. A Gallup poll indicates trust in news media is at an all-time low, further fueling the popularity of figures like Shirley, who present themselves as fresh, unfiltered news sources.
Interestingly, Shirley’s early content consisted of pranks and comedic bits. At 16, he even filmed an unauthorized trip to New York. It wasn’t until he shifted to political content that he saw a surge in views. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile, Shirley returned with a focus on political issues and rapidly gained traction. His first major hit, “I investigated the NYC Migrant Crisis,” crossed 1 million views in February 2024.
Despite his rapid ascent, Shirley’s claims about fraud in Minnesota are not new. Investigative reports have been addressing these concerns for some time. In January, KSTP Channel 5 revealed ongoing investigations involving child care centers in Minnesota. The report highlighted serious allegations of abuse within the state’s Child Care Assistance Program.
Beyond that, a CBS News investigation showed how fraud linked to these centers has led to significant misappropriation of funds. The FBI had already been looking into these issues, but Shirley’s viral video drew more attention. Kash Patel, the FBI Director, even stated their increased efforts to combat fraud were already in motion before Shirley’s footage surfaced.
Shirley’s popularity shows how a single person can influence public discourse today. Social media amplifies voices that resonate, making it easier for new figures to dominate the conversation. In this landscape, the right message, at the right time, can achieve unprecedented reach and impact.
For more on the ongoing investigations into Minnesota’s child care system, see reports from KSTP here and CBS News here.
