Far-right influencer Nick Shirley has officially accepted an invitation to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference's 2026 event, scheduled to take place in Grapevine, Texas, from March 25 to 28. CPAC announced the news in a post on X on Monday, stating, "CPAC is proud to announce that independent journalist and conservative influencer Nick Shirley is a confirmed speaker for CPAC USA 2026 in Grapevine, Texas, March 25-28." Shirley has not responded to requests for comment regarding his upcoming appearance.
Rise to Prominence Through Controversial Claims
The 23-year-old influencer gained significant recognition within conservative circles late last year after a viral YouTube video surfaced, making dubious allegations about fraud involving Minnesota's Somali community. In the video, Shirley attempts to visit daycare facilities in the greater Minneapolis area, claiming they were largely empty and questioning employees about failing to provide services despite receiving federal funding. He later asserted that his investigation exposed $110 million in fraud.
High-Profile Endorsements and Government Response
Shirley's claims garnered support from notable figures, including Vice President JD Vance, who praised him on X, writing, "This dude has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 @pulitzercenter prizes." Additionally, the official White House X account posted in January, "MINNESOTA FRAUDSTERS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! The videos from Nick Shirley have shed tremendous light on the situation in Minnesota, and the Department of Justice will continue to lead the effort to identify and prosecute fraud." Following the video, the Trump administration reportedly froze federal funding for child care in Minnesota and deployed 2,000 federal troops to the state as part of an immigration crackdown, according to CNN.
Official Rebuttals and Investigations
However, state officials have strongly disputed Shirley's allegations. Tikki Brown, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, stated during a virtual press conference that each facility mentioned in the video had been audited at least once in the previous six months as part of standard licensing processes. Brown emphasized, "There have been ongoing investigations with several of those centers. None of those investigations uncovered findings of fraud." She also questioned the timing of Shirley's visits, suggesting they may not have occurred during normal operating hours.
Further independent verification came from The 19th, which reported that the Minnesota Inspector General's office conducted unannounced compliance visits to nine of the ten daycare centers featured in Shirley's video. All but one were found to be operating normally with children present. The remaining two facilities included one that had not yet opened for the day during the state inspection and another that had been closed for several years, receiving no federal funds during that period.
Ongoing Activities and Political Involvement
Since the release of the video, Shirley has continued to engage in high-profile activities. He has testified before Congress and launched another investigation into alleged voter fraud in California. Additionally, he was invited as a guest to the State of the Union by Representative Pete Stauber, a Republican from Minnesota, highlighting his growing influence in political spheres.
As Shirley prepares to take the stage at CPAC 2026, his controversial claims and the subsequent rebuttals from state authorities underscore the polarized nature of current political discourse. The event in Texas is expected to draw significant attention, with Shirley's speech likely to focus on his investigations and broader conservative themes.
