Nick Shirley speaks during a roundtable on antifa, an anti-fascist movement U.S. President Donald Trump designated a domestic "terrorist organization" via executive order on September 22, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(New York, New York) – Nick Shirley is a 23-year-old YouTuber from Utah who has recently drawn national attention after posting a viral video questioning whether Minnesota day care centers improperly received state funding. Born April 4, 2002, Shirley began making online videos as a teenager, originally posting prank and street-interview content before shifting toward political commentary.
After graduating high school, Shirley paused his online work for two years to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile. When he returned, he refocused his channel on government spending, immigration, and public accountability, often filming on location and speaking directly with people in the communities he covers.
Nick Shirley has also appeared on the national stage beyond his Minnesota reporting. In October 2025, he was invited to the White House to participate in a roundtable discussion on political movements with government officials, including former President Donald Trump, focusing on issues such as Antifa and national security.
In addition to domestic coverage, Shirley has traveled internationally for his content, including reporting from Venezuela, where he posted a widely viewed video inside CECOT, a high-security prison complex reportedly housing dangerous gang members. That video drew millions of views and helped raise his profile as a creator covering crime, geopolitics, and government policy in immersive, on-location segments.
In late December, Shirley released a 42-minute video claiming to expose fraud in Minnesota’s child care assistance system. The video showed visits to several day care facilities that appeared inactive during filming but were listed as receiving public funds. The footage spread quickly online and was shared by prominent conservative figures, pushing Shirley’s following into the national spotlight.
State officials have disputed Shirley’s conclusions, saying inspections have not confirmed fraud and that reviews are ongoing. While Shirley is not the first to report on allegations tied to Minnesota’s child care programs, his video gained widespread attention, highlighting how independent online creators can now play a major role in shaping national conversations.
