Fox News host Will Cain has drawn attention to himself for his powerful, high-profile reporting on an alleged large-scale fraud scheme within Minnesota’s social services system, a scandal involving hundreds of millions—possibly more than a billion—of taxpayers’ money.

Cain has focused on the story on The Will Cain Show and its accompanying podcast, portraying it as a case of systemic failure under Minnesota’s Democratic governor, Tim Walz, and a nationwide warning about government oversight, immigration, and welfare policies.

And this is working: his segments have gone viral, conservative audiences are siding with him, and critics accuse him of amplifying racist narratives about the Somali-American community in Minneapolis—making it one of the most politically charged stories of the month.

Cain reports: The multi-billion dollar “Autism Therapy” program

Cain’s news column focuses on what he calls one of the “biggest Medicaid scams in recent U.S. history.” According to his program:

The Alleged Scheme

• Dozens of Minnesota-based providers — many owned by Somalis — allegedly billed Medicaid for fraudulent or unnecessary autism treatment

• State and federal payments to these organizations are alleged to have skyrocketed from $100 million in 2017 to over $1 billion in 2024

• Children were diagnosed with autism but did not actually have the condition, treatment sessions were billed but never took place, and providers lacked valid licenses

Cain highlighted one clinic that allegedly billed $250 million over two years — a staggering anomaly within a state program.

Federal Investigation

Cain reports that the FBI, IRS, and Department of Health and Human Services are currently pursuing this potential case:
• cyber fraud
• money laundering

• Medicaid fraud

No major arrests have been made yet, but federal investigators appear to be targeting key figures.

Political Lightning Rod: Tim Walz

Much of Cain’s commentary targets Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whose administration oversaw the state’s human services agency during the fraud outbreak.

Cain argues that Walz ignored warning signs:

“Does this clown even know what’s going on in his state?”

— Will Cain, December 1st broadcast

Walz’s public response was defensive, questioning the timing of Republican criticism and repeatedly shifting to attacks on President Trump’s mental health instead of addressing the specifics of the fraud.

Meanwhile, President Trump spoke out on December 3rd, describing the Somali people in Minnesota as responsible for “massive fraud” but noting “honorable exceptions.”

Why the incident became “dramatic” online

Although Cain was not involved in any wrongdoing, the coverage of him sparked a wave of cultural and political reactions.

His supporters argue:

• Cain is “the only one telling the truth” about a scandal that mainstream media is avoiding.

• His writings expose systemic weaknesses in Medicaid.

• He is not afraid to confront Walz and Democratic leaders.

Critics argue:

• He is stirring up anti-immigrant and anti-Somali sentiment.

• He is using individual criminal charges to smear entire communities.

• He is ignoring conservative scandals while selectively sensationalizing stories for Fox viewers.

Some progressive sources accuse Cain of using the Minnesota incident to distract public attention from unrelated controversies, including the close scrutiny of the Trump administration’s policies.

Cain’s Motivation: Increased Viewership, Increased Influence

Instead of harming him, this controversy has helped boost Cain’s presence:

• His segments on the Minnesota scandal have garnered millions of views on YouTube and X.

• His daytime show on Fox News remains at the top.

• His Will Cain Country podcast continues to climb the Apple and Spotify charts.

Cain has also combined the Minnesota story with the emergence of rising conservative voices — including Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna and media entrepreneur Clay Travis — to bring the scandal into a larger narrative of a culture war involving immigration, fraud, and trust in government.

If this story explodes, Cain will be at the center.

As federal investigators delve deeper into Medicaid operations in Minnesota, Cain