Hold onto your hats, folks—social media sleuths are storming day care centers across the nation, claiming to sniff out fraud in state-subsidized programs.
According to NBC News, a wave of conservative content creators, sparked by allegations of day care fraud in Minnesota, has spread to at least seven other states, targeting facilities often run by Somali business owners, while igniting a fiery debate over whether their tactics are heroic or harassment.
This all kicked off in Minnesota, where a long-standing federal probe into fraud since at least 2022 has led to numerous convictions, many involving individuals of Somali descent.
Shortly after Christmas, conservative voices like Nick Shirley dropped a bombshell video alleging non-operational Minnesota day cares were pocketing public funds, racking up over 135 million views on X.
Shirley’s footage, while not proving wrongdoing, got a massive thumbs-up from heavy hitters in the conservative sphere, including prominent figures in the Trump administration—talk about a viral pat on the back.
From there, the trend exploded, with influencers descending on daycare centers in states like Ohio, Washington, and Pennsylvania during the quiet holiday lull, when many centers naturally see less activity.
In Washington, self-styled “America-first” journalist Cam Higby hit up multiple locations, zeroing in on Somali-run centers and posting claims of massive funding abuse on social media.
“Just uncovered another SEVEN FIGURE case of obvious Somali daycare funding abuse,” Higby declared on X, though he later admitted in a phone interview, “It could very well be that the day cares themselves are acting within the law.”
Ah, the classic backpedal—Higby’s bold accusations grab headlines. Still, that fine print of legal uncertainty reminds us to pump the brakes before convicting anyone in the court of public opinion.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, the newly elected mayor slammed these actions as “targeted harassment,” arguing they unfairly single out Somali providers without solid proof.
Washington’s attorney general echoed this concern, pointing out the lack of fact-checking behind many claims, only to be rebuffed by a Trump appointee who warned against stifling free speech—a classic clash of values. Over in Ohio, where Columbus hosts a large Somali population, Republican lawmakers are pushing for tougher audits and surprise inspections, citing social media allegations as justification.
Ohio’s governor stepped in to debunk a viral claim about a day care supposedly masquerading as a tobacco shop, clarifying the outdated information and noting the center hadn’t even taken public money.
Let’s be real—while the hunger for accountability in government spending is valid, especially among conservatives tired of bureaucratic waste, this frenzy risks painting entire communities with a broad brush based on shaky online “evidence.”
Somali immigrants, often credited with breathing new life into struggling areas through small businesses, deserve scrutiny that’s precise and fair, not a social media witch hunt fueled by viral outrage.