"Over the last few weeks, right-wing creators who were instrumental in boosting the Minnesota fraud allegations that predated the administration's surge of federal immigration agents have been going after a number of California's social welfare programs, making unsubstantiated accusations of fraud-and potentially laying the groundwork for a similar federal crackdown in the nation's largest Democrat-run state. They're already getting support from some of President Donald Trump's key allies too."
"Nick Shirley, the right-wing influencer whose viral YouTube video claimed to uncover a purported $100 million fraud scheme involving Somali childcare centers in Minnesota, posted to Instagram over the weekend announcing his arrival in California. "Secrets out," Shirley wrote in an Instagram story set to Katy Perry's "California Gurls." It's unclear what exactly Shirley plans to do, but he claims to be "investigating" Somali-run childcare centers in California as well, according to posts that circulated on X over the weekend."
"Shirley is working with Amy Reichert, a private investigator and failed politician who claims to be investigating "ghost daycares" in California. In his Minnesota video, Shirley "investigated" the fraud by showing up to daycares asking to see children. He appears to be applying the same method in San Diego. Reichert posted a picture with Shirley to X on Saturday, writing "California, here we come! When @nickshirlye drops the video, it's going to be 🔥.""
Right-wing creators who amplified Minnesota childcare fraud allegations have shifted focus to California, targeting social welfare programs with unsubstantiated claims. Influencers are investigating Somali-run childcare centers and so-called 'ghost daycares,' and some are coordinating with private investigators. Nick Shirley traveled to California and announced investigations on social media, while Amy Reichert and other collaborators promoted forthcoming videos. Pro-Trump creators like Benny Johnson produced similar 'documentaries' alleging fraud. Local Minnesota outlets had previously covered childcare fraud, but current online campaigns have drawn support from Trump allies and could set the stage for federal enforcement actions in California.
Read at WIRED
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]