Independent journalist and YouTuber Nick Shirley, 23, has claimed he is facing a barrage of death threats following his viral videos alleging widespread fraud in Minnesota's taxpayer-funded daycare programs, particularly those operated by members of the Somali community.
In a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast hosted by Patrick Bet-David, Shirley detailed the harassment, including warnings that he would be "Kirked," a chilling reference to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier in 2025.
"They say, you'll be Kirked," Shirley told Bet-David yesterday, adding that the threats have extended to doxxing and intimidation of his family. "I feel bad for my family. We didn't do anything wrong," he said, expressing concern over the escalation.
Shirley, who boasts over 1 million followers on X (@nickshirleyy), rose to prominence in late December 2025 after posting videos where he visited dozens of registered daycare centers that received funds from the federal Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). He claimed many sites were abandoned, empty during operating hours, or not functioning as child care facilities, estimating over $110 million in potential fraud.
One video, which garnered millions of views, showed Shirley confronting a Minnesota state representative about the oversight failures, accusing Democrats of ignoring the issue for political gain. VP JD Vance, have praised Shirley's work as "real journalism," contrasting it with mainstream media coverage.
