Utah Republicans shelled out thousands of dollars to bring a pair of MAGA internet celebrities to headline their Lincoln Day fundraisers this year. Financial disclosures show the returns were decidedly mixed.
The Salt Lake County Republican Party tapped Nick Shirley to headline its March Lincoln Day fundraiser at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, with tickets ranging from $150 per individual to $10,000 for a 10-person table.
The Salt Lake County GOP booked Shirley as a last-minute replacement after Kari Lake, who lost races for Arizona Governor in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024, pulled out.
Shirley, who is from Utah, rocketed into the public consciousness late last year after he posted a video alleging widespread fraud at Somali‑run child care centers and health companies in Minnesota. At the time, media outlets and state officials said they found no evidence to substantiate the claims. In April, federal agents raided 20 child care centers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including several he highlighted. In May, federal prosecutors charged one center featured in his video with one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
According to the most recent financial disclosures filed with the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Salt Lake County GOP paid $7,500 to JT Wilkinson Consulting on March 13. The firm represents Shirley, as well as his mom Brooke, for speaking engagements. Other conservative speakers on their roster include Dog the Bounty Hunter, former ICE director Tom Homan, and former University of Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner.
Shirley’s appearance raised $9,570 for the party. Treasurer Karl Jurek told a recent central committee meeting the event grossed $36,175, with $27,605 in costs, including Shirley’s fee.
Shirley wasn’t the only MAGA media personality who headlined a Republican fundraiser this year.
Right-wing YouTube personality Benny Johnson was the main attraction for the Washington County GOP Lincoln Day event in February. The party paid Johnson $16,500 for his appearance plus $1,998 to cover his travel expenses. His booking agency, Premier Speakers, lists a $35,000 fee. Conservative commentator and author Kevin Jackson also spoke at the event and was paid $5,000 for his appearance.
The Washington County Lincoln Day event was more successful financially than Salt Lake County’s. Tickets ranged from $150 for an individual seat to $5,000 for a seat at the table with the keynote speakers, according to the event page.
Donations reported on the party’s financial disclosure from the time Johnson was announced as the event’s headliner in January to the date of the fundraiser in February total nearly $71,650. The speaking fees for Johnson and Jackson and venue costs for the fundraiser came to just over $54,000, leaving an estimated $17,650 net
During the 2024 presidential campaign, two Russian state media employees were charged by federal prosecutors for funneling nearly $10 million to Tenet Media, which employed Johnson and other right-wing commentators, to produce political videos that benefitted Russia. Prosecutors said Johnson and other influencers who produced the videos were duped by the scheme.
Democrats brought in big names, too. The Weber County Democratic Party hosted Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin for its Orton and McCay Dinner in March. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs keynoted the Salt Lake County Democrats’ Politisauce fundraiser. Financial disclosures list no speaking fees for Martin or Hobbs.
If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at tips@utahpolitics.news or send your tip through our secure online form.
