YouTube Influencer Nick Shirley Sparks the Latest Voter Fraud Myth
Online provocateur Nick Shirley’s baseless claims of hidden election wrongdoing may create a sense of threat, urgency, and fear, but his investigations appear to be more about driving attention and agitation than proving a crime, according to NewsGuard analysis.
NewsGuard Reality Check
Pro-Trump social media accounts are citing an investigation by conservative influencer Nick Shirley to claim that the fact that 108 people registered to vote from a single address in San Diego proves voter fraud. However, there’s an innocent explanation for the en masse registrations at an address.
Context: In recent months, Shirley, a 24-year-old YouTuber, has gained millions of views for his video reports, including multiple videos alleging taxpayer fraud in Somali-run daycares in Minnesota and another that falsely claimed that 30 people illegally registered to vote at mail boxes in a San Diego UPS store. Shirley often implies that fraud took place without actually leveling the accusation himself.
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