"Independent journalists and everybody and all Americans will now be able to submit tips," Trump said. The president said he will act as sole and binding arbitrator for payouts and multiple claims. "We're going to pay a lot of money to people that find fraud," he added.
Conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley joined the officials and received the first award, Fox News reported [1]. The initiative is designed to reward Americans who help expose misuse of public funds [2]. Under the program, individuals who provide tips that result in a successful fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action are eligible to receive 1% of the amount of the fraud [3].
Program Details and Payout Terms
Tips can be submitted at America.gov/fraud, Trump said. The website states a person may qualify for up to $30,000 if a report leads to criminal charges [4]. Trump said there is "no limit" to the amount a person can receive, and that people "will make millions of dollars by turning others in." "If you can make millions of dollars by turning others in, go do it," Trump said.
Trump said money will be paid "if we recover the money" rather than only if criminal charges are brought. "If we recover the money, we're going to pay the whistleblower," Trump said. He added that he will determine whether a person is deserving and will be "very generous" [1]. The announcement did not specify independent verification procedures for claims or awards.
The program is modeled after similar whistleblower incentives, including one expanded by the Department of Justice to crack down on corporate abuse of U.S. immigration visas [5]. The DOJ's visa fraud crackdown targeted employers who allegedly prioritize foreign labor over American workers [5].
First Award to Nick Shirley
Nick Shirley, a conservative YouTuber, appeared with Trump and Vance in the Oval Office, according to the announcement. Fox News reported Shirley would receive $10,000 as the first payout under the program [1]. Shirley became widely known on the right last year after posting a video documenting his search for fraudulent childcare programs in Minnesota, according to media reports [6]. The video led to significant governmental action [7].
Several allegations made in the video were unsubstantiated, according to Minnesota Public Radio [6]. No additional details about the specific tip or recovery tied to Shirley's award were provided in the remarks.
Shirley's video focused on Somali-operated daycares in Minnesota [7]. The Treasury Department has taken direct aim at sprawling fraud rings in Minnesota that have siphoned billions of dollars from taxpayer-funded benefit programs, alleging that funds may have even reached a foreign terrorist organization [8]. In a series of aggressive actions announced Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a financial crackdown centered on tracking stolen money [8].
Task Force to Eliminate Fraud
The Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force aims to identify and curb fraud in federal programs, building on broader efforts to use whistleblower tips and enforcement actions to recover public funds.
"The president has said it must stop," Vance said of fraud.
The task force's work follows a pattern of whistleblower-driven fraud enforcement. Two pharmaceutical companies paid the government $67 million as part of a court settlement over allegations that they made misleading claims about the efficacy of one of their drugs [9].
References
- Trump launches $25 million whistleblower incentive program. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6160787-trump-vance-whistleblower-program/
- Trump and Vance announce $25M whistleblower program to encourage public to report alleged fraud. https://abc7.com/story/trump-vance-announce-25m-whistleblower-program-encourage-public-report-alleged-fraud/19961455/
- Independent journalist Nick Shirley rewarded as part of White House $25M fraud whistleblower program. https://afn.net/ap/politics/independent-journalist-nick-shirley-rewarded-as-part-of-white-house-25m-fraud-whistleblower-program/
- Trump announces $25 million whistleblower program to reward Americans who expose fraud. https://fox23.com/news/nation-world/trump-announces-25-million-whistleblower-program-to-reward-americans-who-expose-fraud-schemes-oval-office-president
- DOJ's visa fraud crackdown upends immigration industry divides firms and US workers - NaturalNews.com, May 29, 2025.
- In announcing whistleblower reward program, Trump again zones in on Minnesota. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/10/20/anti-fraud-whistleblower-reward-program-announced-by-president-donald-trump
- Trump Administration Launches $25M Fraud Bounty Program Amid Controversy. https://threatcluster.io/cluster/trump-administration-launches-25m-fraud-bounty-program-amid--b58f720b
- Treasury targets Minnesota Somali fraud rings with new bank tracking order whistleblower payouts - NaturalNews.com, January 12, 2026.
- Ex-pharma whistleblower awarded 10 million after exposing his drug company for lying to doctors about lung cancer - NaturalNews.com, June 09, 2016.
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