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Nick Shirley refutes Gov. Newsom’s claim of ‘leading the charge’ against fraud: ‘You are the fraud’

April 10, 2026 | | Print Article

Independent journalist Nick Shirley blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom as a “fraud” after he tried to take credit for “leading” the fight against scams in his state.

The hero reporter who rocketed to fame after exposing rampant government benefits fraud in Minnesota has been the target of social media mockery by the California governor’s press office after Shirley began to expose the fake hospice businesses in the Golden State. The young YouTuber called out “Gavin Newscam” in a new post on Thursday after the Democrat tried to take a victory lap.

“California is again leading the charge against large-scale identity theft and hospice fraud,” Newsom posted. “Today, we’re taking decisive action against 14 providers who tried using stolen identities to bill Medi-Cal for nonexistent hospice services.”

But Shirley quickly dropped a reality check on the 2028 presidential hopeful.

“You tried to paint me as a pervert for exposing fraud, and as a result, radical leftists started trying to dox me and send death threats, wanting to kill me,” Shirley wrote in response to Newsom’s post.

“Now you are taking credit for ‘leading the charge’ on the fraud. Are you serious?” he added. “You are the fraud.”

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Shirley called out the governor for the flip-flop on the existence of hospices that are committing fraud.

“Last week, Governor Newsom denied that widespread fraud was occurring in his state. Now, he’s trying to claim credit for fighting it. Totally incoherent—he is clearly worried that fraud will sink him,” Christopher F. Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, noted in an X post that triggered Newsom’s press office account.

“The Governor never denied fraud was happening, he repeatedly said if there is fraud he would partner to fight it,” Newsom’s account retorted.

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“Actually, you insinuated that @nickshirleyy was ridiculous—and maybe a pedophile—for looking into fraud in your state. But that fraud, as you’re now starting to admit, is massive: at least $180 billion on your watch,” Rufo countered.

Rufo laid out the shocking numbers in an appearance on Fox News.

Shirley responded to the back-and-forth with a laugh at the claims about Newsom.

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“This is what you did to me for exposing fraud,” he added. “I’d gladly invite Governor Newscam if he would like to come next investigation.”

 

Frieda Powers
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