By Gloria Ogbonna
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and former vice-presidential nominee, has sparked renewed controversy after publicly attacking citizen journalist Nick Shirley, labeling him a “delusional conspiracy theorist” amid an escalating debate over alleged fraud in the state and the assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker.
In a post shared Sunday on X, Walz took aim at Shirley, who has gained attention for reporting on what he claims is widespread human services fraud in Minnesota.
“My opponents have been celebrating this far-right YouTuber as a groundbreaking journalist,” Walz wrote. “Here he reveals who he really is: a delusional conspiracy theorist.”
Walz’s remarks came as he reposted Shirley’s response to the governor’s earlier condemnation of a Truth Social repost by President Donald Trump.
That repost, originally shared by the account @LightOnLiberty, raised questions about whether Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman was assassinated following her support for legislation that would have cut off healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants.
Reacting strongly, Walz criticized President Trump for amplifying the post, accusing him of dangerous conduct. “Dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president of the United States,” Walz wrote. “In covering for an actual serial killer, he is going to get more innocent people killed. America is better than this.”
Trump, however, has long been known for provoking controversy through reposts and provocative commentary on social media, a tactic dating back to his questioning of former President Barack Obama’s birth certificate.
His Truth Social activity has frequently drawn criticism from political opponents who accuse him of fueling conspiracy theories.
In response to Walz’s condemnation, Shirley doubled down, posing pointed and inflammatory questions. “Why was she killed after speaking out against illegal migrants?” he asked in his post. “Was she a threat to you and your fraudster scheme? RIP to Melissa Hortman.”
Federal prosecutors have described the killing of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, as a “political assassination.”
The couple was shot and killed at their home last summer by a suspect allegedly posing as a police officer. On the same night, Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were also shot in their home. Both survived the attack.
The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, has been indicted on six federal charges, including stalking and murder.
Reports indicate that Boelter was a right-to-life activist who allegedly targeted lawmakers who supported abortion rights. Investigators say he carried a list of dozens of potential targets, which reportedly included Governor Walz himself.
Online speculation intensified after it emerged that Walz had reappointed Boelter in 2019 to a workforce development advisory board. Critics seized on the connection, despite statements from Walz’s office asserting that the governor had no personal knowledge of Boelter and that such appointments are often routine.
The Associated Press reported that friends described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with conservative political views, though federal prosecutors have not officially stated a motive for the killings.
Melissa Hortman, a prominent Democratic figure in Minnesota politics, was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, she served as Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025 and was widely regarded as a leading liberal voice in the legislature.
Later on Sunday, Shirley responded again to Walz’s accusation, framing the governor’s remarks as an attempt to silence dissent. “Everyone be aware, for asking questions they will call you a ‘delusional conspiracy theorist,’” he wrote. He went on to argue that “billions” of dollars in fraud were allegedly taking place while “a state representative was assassinated.”
Shirley concluded defiantly, saying, “I’m proud to be called a ‘delusional conspiracy theorist’ by Tim Walz.”
The clash highlights deepening political tensions in Minnesota, where unresolved questions surrounding public spending, political violence, and accountability continue to fuel sharp divisions across social media and beyond.
Source: Breitbart
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