YouTuber Nick Shirley says exposing alleged fraud isn’t just getting him views—it’s getting him threats. During an appearance on the PBD Podcast on Wednesday, Shirley revealed that people have been warning him he’ll be “Kirked” following his viral investigation into alleged Somali-run daycare fraud in Minnesota, a chilling reference to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Shirley’s video, released Friday, showed him visiting multiple daycare centers in Minnesota that were reportedly run by Somali operators and had received millions in taxpayer funding. In at least one case, a facility that allegedly obtained $4 million in public funds appeared to have no children present. According to Shirley, that exposure triggered a wave of harassment and intimidation.
“They’re saying, ‘You’re going to be Kirked … you’ll be the next Kirk,’” Shirley said. “And it’s just like, are you kidding me? I hate what’s happening right now.” He added that the fallout has affected his family deeply, despite the fact that, as he put it, “we didn’t do anything wrong.”
Shirley said members of the media have begun contacting his family, including his younger sister. “My little sister is getting phone calls [from the news]. I’m like, why are you guys doing this?” he said, clearly frustrated. He also described how foreign media outlets allegedly crossed the line entirely. “Some news in India, they doxed my home. They doxed my dad. It was really weird,” Shirley explained, adding that he hasn’t even told his father because he doesn’t want to burden him.
The YouTuber emphasized that his investigation was never meant to be political. “I didn’t make this a right or left issue. I just showed you guys that fraud was happening,” he said. Despite that, Shirley claims he’s now being treated like a criminal for daring to question where taxpayer money is going. He even alleged that people have confronted him in public, saying, “You’re literally stopping at intersections and coming after me and trying to attack me.”
In his viral video, Shirley also stated that members of the Somali community appeared to be trailing his team while they documented the daycare locations. One visit, to Sweet Angel Child daycare, escalated into a heated confrontation outside the facility when individuals disputed his questions and refused to give clear answers about enrollment or operations.
Adding further context, a resurfaced Fox 9 surveillance video from 2018 shows what were described as Somali scammers allegedly defrauding Minnesota by billing for services never delivered. The footage, originally recorded in 2015, allegedly showed parents dropping children off at a daycare only to leave with them shortly afterward—while the center still collected public funds, according to Fox News.
The threats Shirley referenced evoke the murder of Charlie Kirk. The suspected assassin, Tyler Robinson, allegedly confided via text messages to Lance Twiggs, a trans-identifying male with whom he was in a relationship. According to Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray, Robinson’s parents said he had increasingly adopted pro-gay and trans-rights views prior to the killing. Robinson allegedly texted that he had “had enough of [Kirk’s] hatred.”
For Shirley, the situation highlights a disturbing reality: exposing fraud can now come with personal danger, while those asking legitimate questions are vilified instead of protected. Still, despite the threats and pressure, Shirley’s message remains simple—fraud is fraud, and sunlight is still the best disinfectant. In a country built on accountability and free speech, that’s a principle worth standing up for.
