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One daycare pulled in millions in government subsidies yet couldn’t even spell the word “learning” correctly on its sign.
Shirley’s footage spread like wildfire, racking up tens of millions of views and drawing attention from top federal officials, including Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Federal prosecutors later revealed the scope of the scandal was staggering.
Nearly $1 billion had been siphoned from government programs sold to the public as help for families and children.
The Feeding Our Future case alone involved $250 million in stolen federal funds during COVID, with 78 people charged and 57 already convicted.
Musk’s warning suddenly looks prophetic
This was exactly the type of abuse Elon Musk said was happening when he led DOGE.
“There was massive fraud in every government program, especially Federal funds sent as block grants to the states,” Musk stated after Shirley’s investigation went viral.
At the time, critics scoffed when Musk spoke of “hundreds of fraud schemes” operating at once.
Minnesota now shows he may have been understating the problem.
Washington state raises new red flags
After watching Shirley’s investigation, internet researcher Kristen Mag decided to see if the problem extended beyond Minnesota.
What she found shocked even seasoned observers.
Mag searched Washington’s official Department of Children, Youth, and Families database for childcare centers listing Somali as their primary language.
“There are 539 childcare centers in Washington state that list Somali as the primary language,” Mag posted on X. “Most don’t even give a street address.”
Washington lists 5,046 total childcare centers participating in its Early Achievers program, which qualifies them for state subsidies.
That means more than 10 percent of subsidized centers list Somali as the primary language, despite Somalis making up roughly 0.2 percent of the state’s population.
Many listings lacked basic details. Some provided only ZIP codes instead of physical addresses. Others listed 24/7 operating hours, something childcare experts say is highly unusual.
Several centers offered no phone numbers or clear location information that parents would need to drop off children.
Mag demonstrated the issue in a video scrolling through the official database, highlighting missing fields.
“I don’t know how many of these are submitting fraudulent claims for state grants and subsidies, but I have a strong hunch the number is not zero,” Mag wrote.
Two words that said it all
Elon Musk reviewed Mag’s findings and responded with just two words.
“They are fraud-maxxing this exploit.”
The comment instantly resonated with conservatives.
Organized fraud networks do not take small amounts. They exploit weak oversight systems to the maximum until someone finally intervenes.
The pattern looks disturbingly familiar.
Minnesota showed how loose controls, political pressure, and fear of accusations can allow fraud to explode unchecked.
State auditors later admitted Minnesota officials ignored red flags and failed to act on complaints, creating what they called “opportunities for fraud.”
Investigators discovered stolen funds were used to purchase luxury vehicles, waterfront homes, overseas real estate, and extravagant vacations.
Some money reportedly ended up with terror-linked groups overseas.
Washington may be next
Washington officials insist they conduct inspections and maintain strict licensing standards.
Minnesota officials said the same thing before losing nearly $1 billion.
Hundreds of Washington centers now participate in programs that funnel tens of millions in annual subsidies, yet lack basic verification information.
Without physical addresses and proper documentation, meaningful oversight becomes nearly impossible.
Minnesota’s losses exploded when emergency COVID rules loosened controls.
Washington already appears dangerously close to the same cliff.
The Trump administration moves fast
President Trump labeled Minnesota a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and ordered aggressive action.
Federal agents launched raids across Minneapolis, while Secretary Noem posted footage of DHS officers questioning suspected fraud operators.
FBI Director Patel announced denaturalization and deportation proceedings against convicted fraudsters.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer summed it up bluntly.
“I have three words regarding Somalis who have committed fraud against American taxpayers: Send them home.”
Musk was right all along
Elon Musk warned that federal block grants sent to states without real oversight would be exploited.
Minnesota proved him right.
Washington now suggests the problem is national.
What critics once mocked as paranoia is increasingly looking like foresight.
And Musk’s two-word verdict may end up being the most accurate summary of the entire scandal.
