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Independent journalist Nick Shirley claims he received death threats and harassment — including phone calls to his family — after posting a viral video alleging fraud at Minnesota child care centers.
Shirley described the threats during a Dec. 31 appearance on the show PBD Podcastand said he was warned he would be “Kirked,” a reference to the September assassination of a conservative activist. Charlie Kirk.
The backlash against the YouTuber follows his investigation into several public daycares in Minnesota.
Shirley said the centers appeared largely empty despite substantial payments from the state.
ICE PROBES SUSPECTED FRAUD SITES IN MINNESOTA AS OFFICIALS FOLLOW POTENTIAL $9 BILLION MONEY TRAIL
Independent journalist Nick Shirley. (Fox News)
One site reportedly raised about $4 million in public funds.
Shirley further claimed on the podcast that since his video went viral, he has received threats in person and online.
“They say, ‘Kirked, you’re going to be Kirked. You’re going to be Kirked,'” Shirley told host Patrick Bet-David.
“That’s what they say: You’re next. You’ll be next. [Charlie] Kirk,” he said.
Shirley appeared shaken as he described the aftermath of the threats, particularly the calls his family received.
QUESTIONS REMAIN, LICENSING SITE CRASHES AS MN CHILD CASH FOLLOWS IN MN CHILD CARE FRAUD SCANDAL
Minnesota’s Quality Learning Center has been found at the center of an alleged child care fraud scandal in the state. (Madelin Fuerste/Fox News Channel)
“And it’s just like are you kidding me? It’s not even like I hate what’s happening right now. Honestly, I feel bad for my family, because it’s like, yeah, we didn’t do anything wrong, and yet you’re coming at me like I’m some kind of bad guy,” he said.
He later added, “So I’m like, my little sister is getting phone calls. I’m like, why are you doing this?”
Shirley maintained that her investigation was about financial responsibility, not politics.
“I didn’t make it a right or left issue,” he said. “I just showed you there was fraud.”
Ibrahim Ali, director of the Quality Learning Center (left), and Tikki Brown, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, have denied fraud, despite a recent report by independent journalist Nick Shirley. (Pool)
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, Minnesota officials pushed back on Shirley’s video.
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown said past inspections found no evidence of fraud.
“We are aware of a video circulating that has attracted local and national attention to Minnesota daycares” Brown said during a press conference on December 29.
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“While we have questions about some of the methods used in the video, we take the concerns the video raises regarding fraud very seriously.”
However, in response to Shirley’s video, the U.S. Ministry of Health and Social Services announced on December 30 that he suspend child care payments this Minnesota.
Fox News Digital has contacted Shirley for comment.
