Indy Journalist Accuses Gov. Walz Of $110 Million Child Care Fraud In Viral Video

Indy Journalist Accuses Gov. Walz of $110 Million Child Care Fraud in Viral Video

How a viral exposé sparked national attention, federal action, political firestorms, and controversy about evidence and impact

In late December 2025, a viral video by a YouTuber and independent journalist sparked one of the most intense political and media firestorms in recent Minnesota history. The clip — which claimed to expose up to $110 million in fraud at state‑funded child care centers — quickly spread across social platforms, caught the attention of national political figures, led to federal funding freezes, and placed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz under heavy scrutiny.

But beyond the headlines and heated debates lies a much more complex story involving allegations, investigations, community impact, political responses, and questions about evidence.

Here’s what happened — and what it really reveals about journalism, public policy, and the power of social media.

The Viral Video That Started It All

On December 26, 2025, Nick Shirley — a 23‑year‑old independent reporter and social media creator — published a roughly 42‑minute video alleging widespread fraud in Minnesota’s child care subsidy programs. The video quickly went viral, amassing millions of views on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, and drawing praise and amplification from prominent figures in conservative political circles.

In the footage, Shirley and an associate visit multiple child care and social service centers across Minneapolis and St. Paul. They claim that these facilities — often licensed for dozens or hundreds of children and receiving substantial public funding — appeared inactive, empty, or unattended when filmed. One example frequently highlighted was a Minneapolis daycare with a sign reading “Quality Learing Center” that, according to public records cited by Shirley, had received several million dollars in state child care funding despite no visible activity.

The video portrayed these visits as evidence of systemic fraud — claiming that taxpayer dollars intended for child care assistance were being misused at scale.

The Scale of the Allegations

Shirley’s video and associated posts alleged that daycare and social service providers had improperly received more than $110 million in taxpayer funds under programs such as the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and other subsidized services. That figure was repeated and shared widely across social networks, fueling outrage and accusations of incompetence and negligence in state leadership.

Prominent political figures amplified the claims. Vice President JD Vance shared and endorsed Shirley’s work on social media, praising it as significant investigative journalism. Other conservatives, including public personalities like Elon Musk and Republican lawmakers, called for accountability and further investigations into alleged misuse of public funds.

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