🧵THREAD🧵 The legacy media didn’t miss the Minnesota Somalian fraud...
Drew Holden@DrewHolden360
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Dec 29, 2025
~5 min read
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🧵THREAD🧵
The legacy media didn’t miss the Minnesota Somalian fraud story.
They actively dismissed it as made up, racist, or xenophobic.
Before the stories are quietly edited, I’ve got screenshots. ⤵️
The legacy media didn’t miss the Minnesota Somalian fraud story.
They actively dismissed it as made up, racist, or xenophobic.
Before the stories are quietly edited, I’ve got screenshots. ⤵️
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I can’t believe this is real, but @AP basically did the Somalians-founding-America meme as a straight reported piece on how beneficial the community has been in Minnesota.
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“Minnesota Somalis are as Minnesotan as tater-tot hotdish,” @CNN (Dec 7)
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Presented without comment @MSNOWNews
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Trump’s attempt to combat fraud is depicted by @NBCNews as “xenophobic.”
No mention of the multibillion dollar scam the community was perpetrating.
No mention of the multibillion dollar scam the community was perpetrating.
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This just isn’t journalism. It’s hackery.
@TIME dedicated a whole section in a piece about the connection between Somalis and fraud allegations to how “Democrats have condemned the accusations targeting Somalis.”
Maybe now would be a good time to revisit them??
@TIME dedicated a whole section in a piece about the connection between Somalis and fraud allegations to how “Democrats have condemned the accusations targeting Somalis.”
Maybe now would be a good time to revisit them??
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A side note of sorts: @NPR suggested (I think rightly, given what’s happened) that the large Somali community in Minnesota was in part there because of “the state’s welcoming social programs.”
Maybe a little more reporting on that was deserved?
Maybe a little more reporting on that was deserved?
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The @washingtonpost took considerable pain to quote people who defended the Somali community in Minnesota, absent all evidence, against the supposedly “bigoted” immigration deployment by Trump.
That included the MN AG who failed to stop this outrage, @AGEllison.
That included the MN AG who failed to stop this outrage, @AGEllison.
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Rather than focus on the evidence we had of fraud in Minnesota in their “everything we know” piece, @Newsweek decided to highlight quotes about how Minnesota is “a well-run state” and how @GovTimWalz has supposedly “taken measures” to combat fraud.
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I wonder if @GovTimWalz still sees criticism over his handling of fraud as a “badge of honor”?
Or perhaps @politico would like a chance to update this piece lionizing him and @amyklobuchar amid their catastrophic handling of said fraud?
Or perhaps @politico would like a chance to update this piece lionizing him and @amyklobuchar amid their catastrophic handling of said fraud?
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Even in reporting meant to expose the fraud in Minnesota, @nytimes couldn’t help but focus on how “challenging” this has all been for Somalian immigrants.
How about how bad this has been for American taxpayers?
How about how bad this has been for American taxpayers?
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But no outlet was worse than Minneapolis’s hometown paper, @StarTribune.
Perhaps it’s time to revisit this story? Seems the evidence is pretty clear now.
It was published two weeks ago.
Perhaps it’s time to revisit this story? Seems the evidence is pretty clear now.
It was published two weeks ago.
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But there were so many more @StarTribune attempts to write off the scandal, rather than, you know, reporting on the multibillion dollar fraud being committed.
Like this one, about how religious and other leaders were stepping in to “condemn Trump’s attacks.”
Like this one, about how religious and other leaders were stepping in to “condemn Trump’s attacks.”
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Might there be a reason @GOPMajorityWhip would stick with Trump as the multibillion dollar fraud scandal was being confirmed? @StarTribune
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I purchased a four-week subscription to @StarTribune to go through this coverage and let me tell you my eyes are more angry at me for subjecting them to this “reporting” than even my wallet is.
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The editorial board at @StarTribune did the Norm Macdonald meme.
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As the scandal has been headline focus for people interested in stopping fraud, @StarTribune has instead focused on lionizing Rep. Ilhan Omar for her “defiance” against Trump.
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Also this defense, that only individuals are to blame, not whole communities, is just very rich given how these outlets have talked about white people.
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This type of scandal, involving the theft of BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars, can’t survive as long as it did without help from major parts of the community involved.
It seems obvious that the legacy press — and @StarTribune in particular — are culpable in that as well.
It seems obvious that the legacy press — and @StarTribune in particular — are culpable in that as well.
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@StarTribune And there are plenty of other states where enormous amounts of money are being siphoned off by fraudsters. California is a good example:
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfal
🚨🇺🇸 CALIFORNIA UNDER NEWSOM LABELED "FRAUD CAPITAL" WITH BILLIONS IN WASTE & SCAMS
California's getting roasted by its own nonpartisan state auditor in a fresh 92-page bombshell report.
The auditor slapped Gavin Newsom's admin and 8 agencies on the high-risk watchlist for epic fraud, waste, and mismanagement.
The tally? It could slam taxpayers for up to $76.5B!
The food stamp program alone(CalFresh), where sky-high improper payments could trigger federal penalties costing an extra $2.5B if not fixed.
Then there's the Department of Finance, dishing out COVID relief where critics say fraudsters swiped a whopping $32B.
Don't forget the infrastructure nightmares.
Crumbling dams and that endless high-speed rail black hole that's already gobbled $18B with ZERO track laid.
Homeless spending? A staggering $24B vanished without a trace, per other audits.
And get this, cell users forked over surcharges for years to upgrade the 911 system, only for the state to blow $650M and scrap it because the tech flopped.
Right next to Silicon Valley, no less. The joke writes itself.
Rep. Kevin Kiley's calling it straight:
California has become the "fraud capital of America" under Newsom, making Minnesota's messes look like peanuts.
With the debt ballooning and more dirt likely to surface, folks are demanding accountability.
Source: California State Auditor, Newsmax, @EricLDaugh
California's getting roasted by its own nonpartisan state auditor in a fresh 92-page bombshell report.
The auditor slapped Gavin Newsom's admin and 8 agencies on the high-risk watchlist for epic fraud, waste, and mismanagement.
The tally? It could slam taxpayers for up to $76.5B!
The food stamp program alone(CalFresh), where sky-high improper payments could trigger federal penalties costing an extra $2.5B if not fixed.
Then there's the Department of Finance, dishing out COVID relief where critics say fraudsters swiped a whopping $32B.
Don't forget the infrastructure nightmares.
Crumbling dams and that endless high-speed rail black hole that's already gobbled $18B with ZERO track laid.
Homeless spending? A staggering $24B vanished without a trace, per other audits.
And get this, cell users forked over surcharges for years to upgrade the 911 system, only for the state to blow $650M and scrap it because the tech flopped.
Right next to Silicon Valley, no less. The joke writes itself.
Rep. Kevin Kiley's calling it straight:
California has become the "fraud capital of America" under Newsom, making Minnesota's messes look like peanuts.
With the debt ballooning and more dirt likely to surface, folks are demanding accountability.
Source: California State Auditor, Newsmax, @EricLDaugh
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@StarTribune I’m sure most of you have, but if you haven’t seen this video of @nickshirleyy doing what journalists across these outlets (and the state of Minnesota) should have — checking in on these supposed nonprofits — you should watch it.
Nick shirley@nickshirleyy
🚨 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
We ALL work way too hard and pay too much in taxes for this to be happening, the fraud must be stopped.
We ALL work way too hard and pay too much in taxes for this to be happening, the fraud must be stopped.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy There’s surely more fraud to be uncovered. Hopefully Congress and the Trump admin will keep kicking the tires in Minnesota and beyond.
These defensive headlines, I suspect, will only look worse in the future than they do today.
These defensive headlines, I suspect, will only look worse in the future than they do today.
Oversight Committee@GOPoversight
This is OUTRAGEOUS.
Tim Walz let FOREIGN CRIMINALS exploit American taxpayer dollars and seems to have looked the other way.
We’re investigating the Somalian fraud ring in Minnesota.
The truth will come out.
Tim Walz let FOREIGN CRIMINALS exploit American taxpayer dollars and seems to have looked the other way.
We’re investigating the Somalian fraud ring in Minnesota.
The truth will come out.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy As @TomBevanRCP called out this morning, instead of revisiting their awful coverage or attempting to do the job of real journalists, @StarTribune is instead…cheerleading for Walz’s reelection.
Tom Bevan@TomBevanRCP
Not a peep about fraud, but a big story on Tim Walz building his influencer army.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP But @StarTribune working so hard to bury this fraud story shouldn’t surprise us.
Their publisher, Steve Grove, came to the paper from Walz’s cabinet, having served as his commissioner of — I swear I’m not making this up — “employment and economic development.”
Their publisher, Steve Grove, came to the paper from Walz’s cabinet, having served as his commissioner of — I swear I’m not making this up — “employment and economic development.”
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP A partisan publisher using the veneer of a newspaper to try to bury a career-defining corruption story about his former boss, as said old boss runs for reelection.
Want to know what’s wrong with the legacy media?
Just look at @StarTribune.
Want to know what’s wrong with the legacy media?
Just look at @StarTribune.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP Also, important context from @shipwreckedcrew: it wasn’t just Minnesota tax payers who got ripped off.
These were, in many cases, federal programs.
Wherever you live, your tax dollars were part of this scam.
These were, in many cases, federal programs.
Wherever you live, your tax dollars were part of this scam.
Shipwreckedcrew@shipwreckedcrew
1. The programs subject to fraud in Minnesota were, for the most part, funded with federal tax dollars. It was not the taxpayers of Minnesota who were defrauded.
2. The state agencies that oversaw the programs treated the federal agencies that funded them as a bottomless pool of money.
3. These programs brought billions of federal tax dollars into the Minnesota economy - particularly Minneapolis-St.Paul.
4. It pumped hundreds of millions directly into the Somali community, dramatically increasing the standard of living above what it otherwise would have been and thereby lessening the state-funded social services.
5. While the dominant political establishment willing to look the other way for the most part, the Somali community returned the favor by voting en masse to keep those some politicians in office , with funds from the fraud circulating back to the politicians in the form of campaign contributions.
There is NOTHING new about this.
2. The state agencies that oversaw the programs treated the federal agencies that funded them as a bottomless pool of money.
3. These programs brought billions of federal tax dollars into the Minnesota economy - particularly Minneapolis-St.Paul.
4. It pumped hundreds of millions directly into the Somali community, dramatically increasing the standard of living above what it otherwise would have been and thereby lessening the state-funded social services.
5. While the dominant political establishment willing to look the other way for the most part, the Somali community returned the favor by voting en masse to keep those some politicians in office , with funds from the fraud circulating back to the politicians in the form of campaign contributions.
There is NOTHING new about this.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP @shipwreckedcrew Again. There’s no way this kind of massive fraud is unique to just Minnesota.
Every state should be subject to this kind of investigation. Particularly those with hundreds of billions of dollars given to NGOs.
Every state should be subject to this kind of investigation. Particularly those with hundreds of billions of dollars given to NGOs.
C3@C_3C_3
Imagine the fraud…
California NGOs:
219,861
$593 billion a year
New York NGOs:
119,559
$446 billion a year
Minnesota NGOs:
42,861
$120 billion a year.
New Jersey NGOs:
58,000
$113 billion a year
Washington NGOs
46,679
$140 billion a year
Just a few examples.
Insane.
California NGOs:
219,861
$593 billion a year
New York NGOs:
119,559
$446 billion a year
Minnesota NGOs:
42,861
$120 billion a year.
New Jersey NGOs:
58,000
$113 billion a year
Washington NGOs
46,679
$140 billion a year
Just a few examples.
Insane.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP @shipwreckedcrew Still no legacy media coverage of this massive scandal.
Shameful.
Shameful.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP @shipwreckedcrew Instead of addressing the fraud, @StarTribune is hard at work trying to undercut real reporting from @christopherrufo and @rk_thorpe about said fraud — and failing.
Their “key source” lied to them (as their reporting eventually made clear) AND stood by his original claims.
Wtf
Their “key source” lied to them (as their reporting eventually made clear) AND stood by his original claims.
Wtf
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP @shipwreckedcrew @christopherrufo @rk_thorpe Walz is just gonna post through it huh.
Tim Walz@Tim_Walz
#8 state for safety.
#5 state to live in.
#3 state for jobs.
#2 state to raise a family, and #2 state to retire.
We’ve made progress, but there’s more to do to deliver security, opportunity, and freedom to every Minnesotan. I won't quit fighting until we're #1.
#5 state to live in.
#3 state for jobs.
#2 state to raise a family, and #2 state to retire.
We’ve made progress, but there’s more to do to deliver security, opportunity, and freedom to every Minnesotan. I won't quit fighting until we're #1.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP @shipwreckedcrew @christopherrufo @rk_thorpe The “conservatives pounce” discourse has begun.
Western Lensman@WesternLensman
MSNOW finally mentions the exploding MN fraud scandal — as a pretext to attack the Trump administration and conservatives.
NYT’s Mara Gay: “[The Somali] community is being scapegoated in a way that serves the far right."
Of course this is what they went with. Of course it is.
NYT’s Mara Gay: “[The Somali] community is being scapegoated in a way that serves the far right."
Of course this is what they went with. Of course it is.
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@StarTribune @nickshirleyy @TomBevanRCP @shipwreckedcrew @christopherrufo @rk_thorpe Ah, well, Dems have their eyes on the ball as always.
Governor Bob Ferguson@GovBobFerguson
I met with Somali American community leaders today to discuss the deep damage inflicted by Donald Trump's harmful rhetoric and reckless deportations.
Here in Washington state, we recognize that diversity is a strength.
Here in Washington state, we recognize that diversity is a strength.