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Trump Announces $25M Whistleblower Program for Fraud Tips
Confirmed
In Short: President Donald Trump unveiled a $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program offering up to $30,000 for tips leading to fraud convictions or significant federal enforcement actions.
President Donald Trump announced a new $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program aimed at combating taxpayer fraud. Speaking alongside Vice President JD Vance and independent journalist Nick Shirley in the Oval Office, Trump detailed the initiative, which offers whistleblowers a 1% commission on recovered funds, subject to applicable laws and rules.
Trump emphasized the program's potential to reward individuals who report fraud, stating, 'If you turn somebody in and you find $1 billion, we are giving a commission to that person of 1%.' The program is designed to incentivize Americans to help investigators uncover fraud by providing financial rewards.
The initiative was described by a White House official as a way to combat the abuse of federal programs and dollars. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said, 'Every day, President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is zeroing in on the rampant abuse of taxpayer dollars and giving Americans the accountability they deserve. This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans.'
Vice President JD Vance highlighted the importance of the program, saying, 'If you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards.' He added that the initiative grew out of a conversation with Trump about recruiting Americans to help investigators.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, the task force’s vice chairman, also called for Congress to impose mandatory minimum prison terms for benefits fraud and civil liability for state officials who fail to stop fraud they could have prevented.
Trump emphasized the scale of fraud, stating, 'The kind of money that's been stolen is trillions from this country.' He also noted that the program would be administered by the Justice Department and that rewards would range from $10,000 to $30,000 for tips leading to successful fraud convictions or significant federal enforcement actions.
The program aims to address widespread fraud, such as the Feeding Our Future scandal, where Mahamud stole more than $4.6 million through false child care assistance claims and $850,000 through a federal child nutrition program.
Independent journalist Nick Shirley, who was present at the announcement, commented, 'Instead of the mainstream media investigating the fraud they investigated me.'
What this adds
The program's details, including the exact reward structure and eligibility criteria, have not been fully established. The administration has not provided specific guidelines on how the program will be implemented or how tipsters will be verified.
Background
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What's confirmed
- "If you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards," Vance said.
- “Protecting the American people from fraud remains a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche.
What's still developing
- "Well, numbers don't lie, and convictions don't lie either," he previously told Fox News Digital.
- "I'll make that determination. It'll be done expeditiously and fairly," Trump said.
- Oz cited questions about the program’s spending growth and said tips from people inside businesses can help investigators identify wrongdoing.
- Fox News Digital exclusively reported plans for the program ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
- When asked by reporters in the White House to clarify the apparent discrepancy, Trump said there was no limit on whistleblower compensation and that criminal charges were not necessary.
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 20, 2026 ( STL.News ) The U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) announced Tuesday a new federal whistleblower rewards program that will pay eligible individuals between $10,000 and $30,000 for information that leads to criminal charges involving certain types of fraud.
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