It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky It's a Numbers Game: The Numbers Behind Minnesota’s Billion-Dollar Welfare Fraud Scandal
Dec 8, 2025
Investigative journalist Ryan Thorpe, known for his work at the Manhattan Institute, dives into a staggering welfare fraud scheme in Minnesota linked to Somali immigrants, with over $1 billion in fraudulent claims. He discusses the alarming connections to Al-Shabaab and highlights government oversight failures. The conversation delves into political reluctance, media bias, and the implications of unchecked immigration policies. Thorpe calls for data-driven reforms to restore trust in public assistance, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and integrity.
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Massive Somali Welfare Fraud Exposed
- A City Journal investigation exposed a Minnesota Somali welfare fraud ring exceeding $1 billion in claims.
- The scheme funneled some stolen funds abroad, potentially reaching al-Shabaab-controlled areas in Somalia.
Media Framing Versus Economic Reality
- Ryan Girdusky critiques media portrayals that inflate Somali economic contributions while ignoring low per-capita income.
- He calculates Somali adults' average reported income and contrasts remittances sent abroad versus taxes paid locally.
Long-Term Fiscal Impact Of Refugees
- Girdusky cites lifetime fiscal-impact estimates showing first-generation Somali immigrants cost taxpayers, with positives arising only after several generations.
- He uses this to argue long-term fiscal burdens from certain refugee streams.