Nick Shirley wears bulletproof vest, says crowds ‘swarm’ him after viral daycare video
After exposing Somali fraud, someone tried to attack @nickshirleyy in the street 👇 pic.twitter.com/n2RfKMu8Ud
— The Iced Coffee Hour (@TheICHpodcast) January 4, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Independent journalist and YouTuber Nick Shirley has started wearing a bulletproof vest and hiring security guards after facing threats following his viral report on Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota. Shirley said the backlash has forced him to change how he operates in public and added that some attendees at events have labeled him a conservative influencer.
Shirley made the remarks during an appearance on 'The Ice Coffee Hour' podcast on Saturday, January 3, explaining that his reporting had angered members of the Somali community and raised serious safety concerns.
Nick Shirley discusses safety precautions after viral daycare video
During the podcast, host Jack Selby asked Shirley how he ensures his safety while reporting.
“Now it sucks because I have to have security,” Shirley said. “I never expected to have to go film a video and have four security people inside of a car watching around, or walking to the corner to make sure that no threat comes.”
Shirley also described an incident while filming a follow-up report in Minnesota.
“In Minnesota, I go and film part two, and a man, a Somalian man, stops his car in the middle of the intersection at a red light, hops out, and literally tries to come and attack me,” Shirley said.
“Luckily, security was there to stop him,” he added.
Nick Shirley wears bulletproof vest while livestreaming protests
When asked if he considered protective gear, Shirley said he now always wears a bulletproof vest while out in public, particularly when filming.
“I pissed off a pretty bad group of people — the Somalian population,” Shirley said. He explained that he has stopped using ride-share services and now relies on security when streaming at protests.
Shirley described reporting at events as walking “into the dens of the lions,” where people approach him aggressively and “swarm” him.
Nick Shirley faces backlash over Minnesota daycare investigation
Previously, Shirley discussed the backlash during a podcast hosted by Patrick Bet-David, saying he had received death threats following his daycare report.
“I’ve been getting death threats. People are telling me I’m going to get Kirked,” he said. “And it’s just like, are you kidding me? I hate what’s happening right now.”
🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 26, 2025
We ALL… pic.twitter.com/E3Penx2o7a
The viral daycare report, posted on December 26, 2025, has been viewed over 137 million times on X. Shirley visited multiple Minneapolis daycare centers that appeared vacant or inactive, with some staff members asking him to leave.
One staffer reportedly told Shirley, “Go away. You’re not welcome here. Shame on you.” The report was later shared by high-profile figures including Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk.
Shirley highlighted the Quality Learning Center, which he said received $1.9 million in 2025 but appeared empty during his visit. The center’s sign also misspelled its name as “Quality Learing Center,” which Shirley referenced on the podcast.
The video circulated shortly after federal prosecutors announced a $9 billion fraud scheme in Minnesota, involving dozens of people, most from the Somali community. Over 90 individuals have been charged in connection with the alleged scheme.
