Nick Shirley Wins Writing Contest for Investigative Journalism
Nick Shirley’s in-depth investigation into a fraud case in Minnesota has garnered significant attention. Recently, the independent journalist was awarded the top prize in a writing contest on X, aimed at celebrating impactful journalism often overlooked by mainstream outlets.
The contest recognized Shirley’s comprehensive report on a daycare fraud scheme in Minnesota, which he published directly on his platform to bypass traditional media channels. Although he didn’t take home the grand prize, he earned one of four honorable mentions for his significant work.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, launched this writing contest on January 16, offering a $1 million total prize pool. Seeing an opportunity, Shirley transformed a widely shared video into a detailed article, allowing him to elaborate on his findings.
“I’m very grateful to have received an honorable mention and to win $100,000. X is the future. Unlike other platforms, there are no limits to your reach. Content can spark change and ignite global conversations. If X can financially support creators to rival YouTube and Facebook, it’s a real game changer,” he shared on X.
Shirley, who began his career as a YouTuber in Utah, gained national recognition in late 2025 for his investigation into Minnesota’s federally funded childcare program. His work focused on a network of daycares operated by the Somali community in Minneapolis and culminated in a 42-minute documentary posted on X and YouTube. Since its release, the video has received around 141 million views.
In this December 2025 video, Shirley and his team exposed a fraud scheme potentially costing over $110 million in a single day by simply questioning staff at various centers. They also uncovered irregularities within Minnesota’s Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) program, which reimburses businesses for patient transport costs under Medicaid.
The contest highlighted journalism that shapes conversations and impacts society, and Shirley successfully secured part of the $100,000 prize pool.
“We’re trying something new. We’ll be allocating $1 million to the top stories in the upcoming pay period. We’re concentrating on what creators on X excel at: writing,” the contest organizers stated, aiming to reward valuable, influential content.
The wide-reaching impact of Shirley’s findings received support from Musk, who shared and defended his work across a broad audience, amplifying its reach.
Despite mixed opinions regarding his methods, Shirley’s reporting ignited various political reactions, leading to federal oversight. Notably, it resulted in a freeze on childcare funding pending additional reviews and was considered influential in discouraging Minnesota Governor Tim Walz from seeking re-election.
This investigation not only sparked a political discourse but also exemplified Musk’s vision for X—a platform that empowers independent creators to bypass legacy media systems, break significant stories, and achieve far-reaching effects.
“In the past few weeks, countless creators have produced original articles that inform and shape discussions on X. We acknowledge the effort behind each submission and ensure the integrity of the contest by auditing each entry,” the contest administrators announced before revealing the winners.
Specific metrics like “US Verified Home Timeline Impressions” used by X measure and reward content creators, particularly in monetization efforts.
