Fact Check: Did a journalist uncover links between Thomas Massie and the Deep State?

LEWIS COUNTY, KENTUCKY: According to a viral claim circulating online, citizen journalist Nick Shirley has uncovered direct links between Republican Rep Thomas Massie (R-Ky) and the Deep State. The claim surfaced amid Massie’s criticism of President Donald Trump and tensions within his own party, sparking questions and prompting a fact-check into the rumor.

Claim: Thomas Massie has direct links to the deep state

A post on X has alleged that Nick Shirley and his team have exposed a direct financial connection between Congressman Thomas Massie and offshore companies tied to the Deep State.

Shirley allegedly claimed that Massie began receiving large transfers in the Cayman Islands shortly before he started turning on President Trump. 

The post further claims that the companies in question trace back to George Soros, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and Warren Buffett.

The post ends by stating that Shirley has forwarded the research to the proper authorities and says it’s now up to them to build the case.

Fact Check: False,  Nick Shirley made no such revelation 

However, there is no credible evidence that proves a link between the Republican congressman and the Deep State, nor are there any statement from Nick Shirley that supports the claim.

A Google search for the claim yielded no relevant results, such as official statements, announcements, or press releases from the citizen journalist supporting the claim.

A search on Shirley’s official social media handles also does not include anything that supports the rumor, which, if true, would have been widely covered by credible news outlets.

Thomas Massie backs Democrats against Donald Trump

The claim surfaced as Massie is joining House Democrats in a rare bipartisan effort to challenge Trump's handling of the Iran war, backing legislation that would direct Speaker Mike Johnson to sue the White House over alleged violations of the War Powers Resolution. 

Massie, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, has accused the administration of acting unconstitutionally by launching military strikes and entering conflicts in Iran without taking formal authorization. 

The lone Republican is one of the co-sponsors of a new resolution aimed at compelling House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, to sue the Trump administration over allegations the president is violating federal law with the US conflict in the Middle East. 

The measure is being led by Rep Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and is backed by Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), Jason Crow (D-Colo), Ro Khanna (D-Calif), and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky).