Fact Check: Did Trump White House orchestrate rise of Nick Shirley?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral claim circulating online alleges that President Donald Trump's administration played a role in orchestrating the rise of independent journalist Nick Shirley.

The claim gained traction after Shirley received widespread attention for his December 2025 investigation into alleged funding fraud involving Somali-owned daycares in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a report that quickly went viral across social media. Let’s fact-check the claim.

Claim: Trump's administration orchestrated the rise of Nick Shirley

In June 2026, a claim circulated on social media alleging that President Donald Trump's administration helped orchestrate the rise of independent journalist Nick Shirley. The claim gained attention because Shirley's December 2025 investigation into alleged fraud at Somali-owned daycare centers in Minneapolis went viral and was followed by major federal actions in Minnesota.

After Shirley's investigation attracted national attention, the federal government froze childcare funding for Minnesota and deployed thousands of federal immigration officers to Minneapolis. These developments led some social media users to question whether Shirley's growing influence and the apparent impact of his reporting on government actions happened naturally or were part of a coordinated effort.

On June 1, an X (formerly Twitter) user claimed that leaked documents showed "Nick Shirley's whole deal was manufactured and shaped by the White House." The allegation appears to have stemmed from comments made by Gabrielle Cuccia, a former Pentagon correspondent for One America News Network (OANN).

In a May 22 post on X, Cuccia said that someone had approached her about writing scripts for a company that allegedly produced videos supporting the Trump administration's messaging.

According to Cuccia, that individual suggested the strategy had already been successful with Shirley. She claimed the person told her that using third-party creators to amplify the administration's message had "worked out for them and Nick Shirley," fueling speculation about whether the White House played a role in promoting his work.

Fact Check: Nick Shirley has denied Gabrielle Cuccia's allegation

In a statement shared with Snopes, Nick Shirley said Gabrielle Cuccia's allegation was "completely false." He stated that the Trump administration had never paid him "in any way, shape, or form" and that officials were unaware of his Minnesota daycare investigation before it was published.

Snopes also attempted to verify Cuccia's claims by seeking additional information about her anonymous source and whether the statements regarding Shirley and the Trump administration were based on evidence or speculation. However, no independent or credible evidence was found to support the allegation. As a result, Cuccia's claim remains unproven.

Records also show that Shirley had built an online following years before Trump's second administration. He began posting videos in 2019, with one of his earliest uploads titled "16 YR OLD FLIES TO NEW YORK WITHOUT TELLING PARENTS."

His early content largely focused on pranks and street interviews, though he also produced political content, including interviews with supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders and footage from the crowd at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

After returning from a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in late 2023, Shirley's content became more openly political. His growing audience and online presence predated the events cited in the rumor, undermining claims that his rise was orchestrated by the Trump administration.