Independent journalist Nick Shirley reported experiencing death threats and harassment, including disturbing phone calls to his family, after he released a video alleging fraud at a day care center in Minnesota.
During a television appearance on December 31, Shirley detailed the threats, claiming he was told he’d be “kirked,” referencing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk the previous September.
This backlash follows Shirley’s investigation into several publicly funded child care centers across Minnesota. He alleged that despite receiving significant state funding, one center was almost empty.
He mentioned that the facility had, in some instances, raised around $4 million in taxpayer money while being underutilized. Since his video gained traction, Shirley has received threats both online and in person.
“They’re saying things like, ‘Kirked, you’re going to be Kirked,’ like I’m next,” he shared with podcast host Patrick Bett-David.
Shirley appeared visibly upset as he talked about the toll the threats have taken on him and his family, expressing concern that they were being targeted unfairly. “It’s just like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I hate what’s going on,” he lamented. He added that his sister received a call questioning why they were involved in the controversy.
He maintains that his investigation is focused on fiscal accountability rather than political biases. “I didn’t make this a left-right issue,” he insisted, emphasizing that he aimed to expose fraud.
In response to his video, Tikki Brown, the director of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, stated that previous inspections had not revealed any fraud. She acknowledged the video had attracted significant attention, noting that they take concerns about fraud seriously, though they questioned some of the methods used in it.
Notably, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on December 30 that it would stop providing child support payments to Minnesota following the allegations brought to light by Shirley.
