Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has accused citizen journalist Nick Shirley of being a “delusional conspiracy theorist,” escalating a public dispute tied to Shirley’s reporting on alleged fraud in the state and broader political tensions following the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker.
In a post on X on Sunday, Walz criticized conservatives’ reaction to Shirley’s work. “My opponents have been celebrating this far-right YouTuber as a ground breaking journalist,” Walz wrote. “Here he reveals who he really is: a delusional conspiracy theorist.”
Walz’s comments came after President Donald Trump reposted a message on Truth Social questioning whether Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman was assassinated after supporting legislation that would have cut off healthcare access for illegal immigrants. Walz lambasted the president’s repost, calling it “dangerous, depraved behavior” and accusing Trump of “covering for an actual serial killer.”
“America is better than this,” Walz wrote.
Shirley responded directly to Walz on X, questioning the circumstances surrounding Hortman’s death and linking the killing to her political positions. “Why was she killed after speaking out against illegal migrants?” Shirley wrote. “Was she a threat to you and your fraudster scheme? RIP TO MELISSA HORTMAN.”
Federal prosecutors have described the killing of Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, as a political assassination. The two were shot and killed at their home last summer by a suspect posing as a police officer. On the same night, Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were also shot at their home and survived.
Vance Boelter, 57, was later indicted on six federal charges including stalking and murder. Authorities have reported that Boelter, described by acquaintances as an evangelical Christian with conservative views, was a right-to-life activist who allegedly targeted lawmakers who supported abortion access. Prosecutors have said Boelter maintained a list of potential targets that reportedly included Gov. Walz, though they have not publicly speculated on a definitive motive.
Some online commentators have pointed to Walz’s decision to reappoint Boelter in 2019 to a state workforce development advisory board. Walz’s office has said the governor did not personally know Boelter.
Hortman, a member of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004 and served as Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025.
Later on Sunday, Shirley responded again to Walz’s accusation, arguing that raising questions should not be dismissed as conspiracy thinking. “Everyone be aware, for asking questions they will call you a ‘delusional conspiracy theorist,’” he wrote.
Shirley also reiterated his claims about large-scale fraud in Minnesota’s human services programs and referenced Hortman’s killing, adding, “I’m proud to be called a ‘delusional conspiracy theorist’ by Tim Walz.”
The exchange underscores growing political and public tensions in Minnesota as investigations into alleged fraud continue and authorities pursue justice in one of the state’s most serious political crimes in decades.
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U seeded this on your own OK
WTH is wrong with the Minnesota people. How could they elect a dumbass criminal to lead their state? Do they enjoy being victimized? Are they just to stupid to realize what is happening? How could they justify leaving a loser like Walz running their state for even one day?