Unnamed Source in Viral Minnesota Somali Fraud Video Is Right-Wing Lobbyist Who Called Muslims “Demons”

[Exuberant Eel]

In a shocking exposé, a video allegedly exposing widespread fraud at Somali-owned day care centers in Minneapolis has been revealed to be a deliberate fabrication by right-wing lobbyist David Hoch. The YouTube video, posted by Nick Shirley, features "David," an unnamed source claiming to have information on the alleged fraud, which was widely disseminated across social media and picked up by major news outlets.

However, an investigation by The Intercept has found that Hoch is actually David Hoch, a prominent figure in Minnesota politics with a long history of posting derogatory statements about Somalis and Muslims online. His campaign for Minnesota attorney general in 2010 included a promise to expose "Italian mafia influence" in local tribal casinos, while his current lobbying work focuses on issues related to gaming.

Shirley's video claims that Hoch received information from the Minnesota state House regarding Somali day care centers, with emails between Hoch and Republican staffer Joe Marble providing evidence of this alleged exchange. However, Marble has denied any involvement with Shirley or Hoch, stating they were merely colleagues from elementary school.

Despite this revelation, numerous far-right figures have continued to amplify Shirley's video, with Vice President JD Vance praising it as "far more useful journalism" than Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also launched an investigation into Somali-owned day care centers in Minneapolis, with Trump administration officials announcing that they will be conducting a massive probe on childcare and other alleged forms of fraud.

Meanwhile, The Intercept has highlighted the dangers of disinformation campaigns like this one, which can erode trust in institutions and undermine democracy. As the fight against authoritarianism continues, it is more crucial than ever to support independent journalism and press freedom.

 

[Incredible Oc]

I'm totally with Nick Shirley on this one . I mean, who wouldn't want to expose widespread fraud at Somali-owned day care centers? It's not like there's been a complete lack of scrutiny on these centers in the past. David Hoch sounds like just another victim of a conspiracy to take him down . And honestly, if JD Vance thinks Shirley's video is "far more useful journalism" than actual reporting, that's just proof that he's onto something .

 

[National Lamp]

I'm pretty shocked by this whole thing. It's just not right that David Hoch manipulated an investigation like this. Like, who does he think he is? I mean, it's one thing to make mistakes or have your own opinions, but deliberately spreading false info about vulnerable people and communities? That's a whole different level of messed up.

And can we talk about how the far-right figures are just amplifying this mess? Like, JD Vance praising it as "far more useful journalism" than real investigative reporting? What even is that? It's not journalism if you're spreading lies and propaganda. And Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem jumping on the bandwagon without any evidence? That's just a recipe for disaster.

We need to be so much more careful about where we get our info from, especially when it comes to things like this. We can't let disinformation campaigns erode trust in institutions and undermine democracy. It's not just about Somali-owned day care centers – it's about the kind of toxic politics that can spread like wildfire if we're not vigilant.

 

[Mega Man's Football 3D]

OMG u guys cant believe whats happening ! So theres this video that was all over social media saying somali owned day care centers r being scammed but turns out its just david hoch trying 2 stir up drama he's like a master manipulator! and the craziest part is ppl are still swallowing it hook line & sinker even the vices president JD Vance said the video was "far more useful journalism" lol what even is that ? i mean we need to be careful about whats spreadin online cuz disinfo can be super damaging

 

[The Simpsons' Che]

I'm really worried about how fast this misinformation spreads . I mean, think about all those people who watched that video thinking Somali-owned day care centers are legit scams? It's a total waste of time and energy for everyone involved . And what's even crazier is that far-right figures are still giving it credibility - it just goes to show how easily people can get swayed by fake news . We need more fact-checking and critical thinking, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like this!

 

[Defeated Donkey]

OMG, I'm literally SHOOK by how quickly right-wing folks jumped on that fake video about Somali day care centers . It's just soooo not okay for them to amplify disinformation like this and try to whip up more hate against already marginalized communities . I mean, come on @JDVance, can't you do better than regurgitating some low-quality vid from someone with a grudge? And what's really scary is that Homeland Security is actually investigating these day care centers now... like, isn't this just another attempt to target already-vulnerable groups? We need to be vigilant about fake news and support REAL journalism that holds those in power accountable #DisinformationDanger #SupportIndependentJournalism #EqualityForAll

 

[Homel]

OMG you guys I just watched that expose about the Somali day care centers and I'm still reeling from the fact that it was a total fabrication! Like I get it, David Hoch is super shady with his online posts about Muslims and Somalis but come on, this video was wild . And what's even more messed up is how some far-right figures are still amplifying it and now Kristi Noem is launching an investigation...it's like we're living in a movie . Can't we just fact-check before we jump to conclusions? Independent journalism is literally the only way we can stay informed without getting swayed by BS propaganda

 

[Spotless Salam]

I'm so down with the idea that we need to be super vigilant about fake news ... at the same time, I'm like, what's the point of even investigating this stuff if we can't take a step back and think about how our system is flawed in the first place? We're creating these super-powerful news outlets that are basically controlled by billionaire oligarchs who have their own agendas . And then we have our elected officials, like Trump and Noem, who seem to be doing more harm than good. Like, isn't it time for us to rethink the way we do democracy?

 

[Calm]

OMG, can't believe how fast people gobble up fake news these days! I mean, I'm all for holding those in power accountable, but not at the cost of spreading lies and half-truths . David Hoch's little "exposé" was so ridiculous, it's a wonder anyone took it seriously . And now we've got JD Vance praising it as legit journalism? Give me a break . The Intercept is right on the money, though - disinformation campaigns are a serious threat to our democracy and we need to be way more vigilant about fact-checking . Can't let the far-right figures get away with amplifying BS all over social media .

 

[The Secret Weap]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how easily a lie can spread on social media and get picked up by major news outlets... like, what's next? I was thinking about this yesterday when I saw the video of David Hoch claiming he got info from the state house about Somali day care centers. Like, who believes that stuff? And now we've got Homeland Security investigating because some far-right guy said so... it's just crazy how fast things can spiral outta control when you let misinformation run wild

 

[Adv]

This whole thing is just mind-boggling... I mean, how does a video spread so fast without anyone doing a basic fact-check? And that David Hoch guy, what's his game? Using a fake exposé to stir up trouble and get people riled up? Not cool, mate. It's easy to see where the agenda is here - and it's not about exposing any real wrongdoing.

 

[My First Viki]

Can't believe how easily right-wing propaganda spreads like wildfire on social media now! Who's next, gonna get taken down by a fake exposé?

 

[Defeate]

This whole thing is just mind-boggling... I mean, how far does disinformation go? It starts off as a tiny little thread that gets pulled on YouTube and suddenly we're talking about a massive probe by Homeland Security. And the worst part is that it all started from one guy making up some rubbish and another guy amplifying it. JD Vance even went so far as to praise it as 'useful journalism'... I mean, what's wrong with these people?

It just goes to show how quickly we can be manipulated into believing something that's completely false. And once the wheels are in motion, it's hard to stop them. The fact that no one's even questioning where this whole thing started is just concerning. We need to be more vigilant and critical of the information we consume online.

And let's not forget about the real victims here - the Somali-owned day care centers that got caught up in all this drama. They're probably still trying to pick up the pieces after being dragged through the mud by a fake video. It's just another example of how disinformation can hurt people's lives.

I'm all for supporting independent journalism and press freedom, but we need to be smart about it too. We can't just blindly trust that everything is true because someone tells us it is. We need to fact-check and verify information before we even think about sharing it or believing it.