You remember Nick Shirley, the brave young investigative journalist who reported on the Minneapolis Quality “Learing” Center and exposed widespread fraud in Gov. Tim Walz’s Gopher State.
His revelations didn’t just go viral on social media; they caused real-world consequences: a federal probe, a freeze on childcare payments, and Shirley testifying before Congress. Less than 24 hours after a heated online exchange between the investigative reporter and Walz, the already-embattled governor stunned observers by announcing he was not running for reelection.
“I ENDED TIM WALZ,” Shirley wrote on X in early January.
He next set his sights on California, and on Wednesday, he released a 40-minute video showing what he’s found so far:
🚨 Here is the full 40 minutes of my crew and I exposing California fraud, Minnesota was big but California is even bigger… We uncovered over $170,000,000 in fraud as these fraudsters live in luxury with no consequences. Like it and share it, the fraud must STOP.
We ALL work… pic.twitter.com/7nWX9jL6NI
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) March 17, 2026
We ALL work way too hard and pay too much in taxes for this to be happening. These fraudsters have been able to defraud American taxpayers for years without any pushback from the public and politicians.
It is time to EXPOSE IT ALL and end America’s fraud crisis.
In the post, he claims to have uncovered $170M in fraud, waste, and abuse in the Golden State. Such audacity, of course, made the state’s neverpresent governor, Gavin Newsom, big mad:
Nick Shirley, right now pic.twitter.com/vWrp34Dmfa
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) March 17, 2026
Oh, isn’t that funny? Your state is crumbling, there have been repeated claims of fraud under your leadership, and this is what is posted on your official taxpayer-funded account? Mocking an American citizen for doing legitimate investigative reporting?
Pretty darn shameful.
Nick Shirley quickly showed, however, who is the adult in the room with his excellent response:
You do realize I’m trying to help America eliminate fraud and waste right? No need to try and make me look like the bad guy for exposing fraud.
People are over it. Start working for the people and not against them.
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) March 17, 2026
“You do realize I’m trying to help America eliminate fraud and waste right?” Shirley wrote. “No need to try and make me look like the bad guy for exposing fraud.”
Now that’s a classy — yet pointed — retort, the type we could only hope for from our elegantly coiffed governor.
MORE: Viral Ghost Daycare Video Forces Tim Walz to Issue Frenzied Damage Control Statement
Under Newsom Hospice Fraud Explodes With $105 Million in Medicare Overbilling and 700 Fraud Warnings
Others didn’t hold back:
Imma leave this here… pic.twitter.com/KsCns1BzGL
— Chuck (@Chuck96705218) March 17, 2026
The reality is that what Newsom laughs off is not funny in the slightest and reveals for the umpteenth time just how far California has declined under his leadership.
Conservative actor James Woods weighed in:
This guy is a classic grass roots patriot. If this were 1776, he would be signing the Declaration. He should be lauded by every American except the fraudsters, which, of course, is why Democrats loathe him. @nickshirleyy https://t.co/FWIJpH1Gsw
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 17, 2026
Newsom continues to be an utter embarrassment to the state; indeed, to the entire country.
Editor’s Note: Gavin Newsom wants to turn America into one big version of California – a failed, overtaxed, dystopian nightmare.
Help RedState continue to tell the truth about the Golden State and work to stop his presidential campaign before it even officially starts. Join RedState’s VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership today.
