Independent journalist Nick Shirley, whose viral 42-minute video exposed inactive Minnesota daycare centers that were receiving millions in government funds, discussed the backlash on the debut of Outkick’s “The Riley Gaines Show” podcast. Shirley claimed that leftists target him instead of addressing fraud, missing a chance to unite against the massive waste.
For context, his video, viewed over 138 million times on X, prompted federal investigations and led HHS to freeze Minnesota childcare payments. Shirley said he’s received nationwide tips on similar fraud and plans further exposures.
Starting off the segment, Riley Gaines, best known for her fight against trans women competing in women’s sports, began with a question. “Have you found the issue of federal funds, our money, Republicans money and Democrats money being used to, I guess, again, fraudulent, fraudulently in the way that it has been. Have you found that to be something that’s partisan, or has it been able to cross political lines?” she asked, “Again, I’m talking about in your everyday American.”
Responding honestly, the courageous conservative reacted, “Yeah, yeah. You think something like this would just be fraud is bad, but no, now people are coming after me for exposing fraud. Who are all those people? They’re leftist.”
Continuing his comments, he added, “It’s just a moment where they could have really been like, Okay, you guys, let’s come together. Let’s tell everyone that fraud is bad. Let’s crack down on the fraud. Instead, they come after the person who’s exposing the fraud.”
Shirley’s expose was so successful that it led to the political retirement of current Minnesota Governor and failed Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz. “As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” Gov. Tim Walz revealed in a statement.
Continuing his comments, he added, “Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences.”
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“So I’ve decided to step out of this race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work in front of me for the next year. The political gamesmanship we’re seeing from Republicans is only making that fight harder to win,” he selfishly claimed, “This is on my watch, I am accountable for this and, more importantly, I am the one that will fix it.”
Reacting to the unprecedented situation, the Republican Governors Association Communications Director Courtney Alexander responded, “Walz’s failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats’ agenda and whoever Democrats choose to replace Walz with at the top of the ticket will need to defend years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.”
Watch the clip here:
Similarly, Minnesota Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins quipped, “Tim Walz and his staggering fraud could not outrun our investigations and the momentum we have in this race. He knows he will lose in November, and would rather give up than take responsibility.”
Featured image from embedded video