Independent Journalist Nick Shirley’s Rise in Investigative Reporting
Nick Shirley never intended to become a renowned independent journalist, one whose videos captured national attention and were shared by prominent figures like vice presidents and CEOs. However, following a significant fraud probe in Minnesota, he found himself thrust into the spotlight of journalism.
Recently, Shirley shared his story at Freedom Fest in Las Vegas, discussing his non-traditional path to journalism, his approach to reporting, and the underreported issues he believes mainstream media overlooks.
Shirley on the California Entrepreneurship Scam
Reflecting on his journey, Shirley noted, “I used to pull pranks for my video blogs, and then I shifted to exploring the world, which naturally led me to journalism. I didn’t realize at first that what I was doing was journalism; I thought I was just making engaging YouTube videos.”
He lightheartedly added, “Now I find myself as one of the most recognized journalists in the U.S. and even globally.”
When asked about his style, Shirley found it tricky to pin down, explaining, “It’s a blend of independent YouTube journalism mixed with a documentary approach, which feels different compared to what others have done in this new space.”
His video exposing the “Feeding Our Future” scandal in Minnesota gained immense traction, racking up over 100 million views on X, prompting him to realize that he had stumbled upon a significant story.
Testifying Before Congress on the Fraud Investigation
Shirley was taken aback by the video’s rate of sharing, noting that it had gained the attention of influential voices, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Elon Musk. He currently has 1.7 million followers on X and nearly 2 million subscribers on YouTube.
As he investigates stories, Shirley prefers to work solely with publicly available information. “I rely on government data and go directly to the primary sources,” he explained.
Despite his success, Shirley pointed out the existence of important stories that remain under the radar. “The fentanyl crisis in the U.S. is particularly dire,” he stated. “While I’ve touched on it in my videos, genuine efforts to combat it seem lacking.”
Charges Against Viral Video Subjects
Shirley shared that embarking on his journalistic journey hasn’t always been comfortable. He recalled his experiences in Brazil’s favelas, saying, “At one point, I thought I might not make it out, it was quite daunting.” Even in environments like Kenya and Philadelphia, he dealt with significant risks.
His Spanish skills spurred his interest in covering the Biden administration’s border issues, which he observed firsthand. “While living in Chile, I witnessed Venezuelan immigrants arriving,” he recounted. Upon returning to the U.S., he began investigating conditions at the southern border. “With my ability to speak Spanish, I uncovered truths about children being smuggled—like a 17-year-old girl traveling alone and young girls coming by themselves. I aimed to bring their stories from the border to shelters in New York City.”
Shirley, who once took part in a two-year mission with the LDS Church, credits his faith for driving his work. “I think faith encourages us to uncover the truth and reveal wrongdoing,” he noted. “There’s a strong call in the scriptures for individuals to expose what’s wrong, something that seems overlooked today.”
He mentioned the recent guilty plea of Fahima Ege Mahmoud, linked to the Minnesota fraud scheme, as validation of his investigative efforts, saying, “Statistics and convictions speak for themselves. Minnesota’s largest federally funded childcare center just pleaded guilty today.”
