Gutfeld: Great move, Gavin…

Fox News aired a segment from Greg Gutfeld’s show discussing investigative reporting by Nick Shirley, who allegedly uncovered fraud in California’s social welfare system. According to the broadcast, the 23-year-old journalist visited multiple facilities in San Diego and Los Angeles that reportedly received government funding while appearing to provide little or no actual services.

In the video, Fox News presents footage allegedly showing daycare centers operating out of small apartments where, according to the reporting, owners either refused to speak or were not present. The segment claims Shirley encountered children left unattended at these facilities. According to the broadcast, one concerning moment showed children outside a daycare with no adult supervision visible, with the children allegedly stating no teacher was present.

The segment then shifts to alleged hospice care fraud in Los Angeles. Fox News reports that Shirley investigated what he characterizes as shell companies allegedly funding their owners’ luxury lifestyles while operating out of empty hotel rooms. According to the broadcast, one facility that allegedly received $1.3 million in 2023 was found to be completely empty when visited. The video allegedly shows Shirley attempting to enter these hospice centers, only to find vacant buildings with no furniture or patients. In one portion of the reporting presented, a person alleged to be associated with one of these operations reportedly drove away in a Cybertruck without answering questions.

According to Fox News, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office responded to Shirley’s reporting with what the panelists characterize as a flippant social media post that allegedly implied Shirley had inappropriate motives. The panel members express outrage at this response strategy, with one suggesting that Newsom missed a political opportunity by not engaging constructively with the allegations.

The panelists discuss broader implications of the alleged fraud. One guest notes that New York reportedly spends $81,000 per homeless person annually, questioning where such funds actually go. Another panelist alleges that when confronted about fraud, politicians often deflect or attack the messenger rather than address the underlying issues. The discussion suggests this pattern indicates potential corruption, with money allegedly being laundered through social programs.

In Fox News’s Own Words

“No one is watching these children and they’re all by themselves.”

“I look inside the window and it is an empty building. In 2023, this place received $1.3 million.”

“When you confront somebody about something and their reaction is defensive, that will get more pickups from mainstream media than the fact that trillions of dollars have been laundered.”

This reporting matters because it raises serious questions about oversight of government-funded social programs. If the allegations presented are accurate, vulnerable populations including children and elderly hospice patients may be at risk while taxpayer funds allegedly flow to fraudulent operations. The response from public officials to such investigative journalism, according to Fox News, may indicate how seriously accountability concerns are being taken.