Walz Faces Criticism Over Daycare Funding Following Viral Video

Politicians across the spectrum are demanding accountability from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following the release of an investigative video that appears to show a Minneapolis daycare center receiving millions in state funding despite showing little to no activity.

The controversy erupted after independent reporter Nick Shirley posted a 42-minute video on Friday documenting visits to several childcare centers in Minnesota. The footage shows a facility on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis with a misspelled sign reading “Quality Learing Center” that appeared inactive despite reportedly caring for 99 children and receiving approximately $4 million in state funding.

Vice President JD Vance was among the first high-profile officials to respond, describing the situation as “a microcosm of the immigration fraud in our system” in a post on social media platform X. Vance suggested the arrangement benefits both politicians and those exploiting the welfare system at the expense of Minnesota residents.

“Politicians like it because they get power. Welfare cheats like it because they get rich,” Vance wrote. “But it’s a zero sum game, and they’re stealing both money and political power from Minnesotans.”

Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) called for immediate action, stating on X: “Folks need to be arrested and prosecuted and the Governor of Minnesota needs to be held accountable. Congress should hold a hearing immediately and start getting answers.”

The daycare controversy comes amid a broader scandal facing the Walz administration involving alleged social services fraud that has reportedly cost taxpayers at least $1 billion. According to multiple reports, much of this fraud is linked to the Somali community in the Twin Cities area, with some funds allegedly reaching the terrorist organization Al-Shabab.

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk also weighed in on the controversy, calling for Walz’s prosecution and accusing the “radical left” of exploiting government programs to bring in and retain immigrants to “win elections and turn America into a single-party state.” Musk specifically referenced the Somali voting bloc in Minnesota, a state he noted “historically had zero Somalis,” and its role in electing Representative Ilhan Omar to Congress.

Donald Trump Jr. shared the video on social media, praising Shirley’s investigative work while criticizing mainstream media for not covering the story. “If you haven’t watched this yet. Watch it. All of it. Understand that this is what journalists are supposed to do, but no one in the mainstream media will even bother to look let alone actually publish it,” he wrote.

The video has gained significant traction online at a time when Minnesota’s social services programs are under increasing scrutiny. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reportedly began investigating Minnesota’s use of billions in federal social service funds amid growing concerns about fraud.

This daycare controversy represents just one facet of what critics describe as systematic problems with Minnesota’s social service oversight. The state has seen a series of investigations into childcare fraud in recent years, with particular focus on facilities receiving public funding through the Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income families afford childcare.

Governor Walz’s office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the viral video or the allegations of widespread fraud. The controversy continues to intensify as more politicians and public figures draw attention to the issue, potentially creating political challenges for Walz’s administration as investigations proceed.

State and federal authorities have yet to announce any formal investigations specifically targeting the “Quality Learing Center” featured in Shirley’s video, though the broader fraud allegations have already prompted multiple inquiries at various government levels.