President Donald Trump has introduced a $25 million whistleblower incentive program to uncover fraud involving government funds, offering financial rewards to people whose tips help authorities recover money.
Trump Offers 1% Rewards for Fraud Tips
Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, which offers eligible whistleblowers a 1% commission.
“If anybody turns anybody in a billion dollars, $5 billion, 100 million, you get a 1% commission,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
He added, “I think that will be amazing, because the kind of money that’s been stolen is trillions from this country.”
Trump said he would serve as the final arbitrator in disputes over who deserves a reward, promising to be “very generous.”
Vance said in the office, “The president has said it must stop. It is stopping. And if you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards now, thanks to what the president of the United States has done.”
The program’s website, America.gov/fraud, reportedly says eligible tips that lead to criminal charges could qualify for rewards of up to $30,000.
Trump, however, said there was “no limit” to payouts and predicted that “people can make a lot of money.”
He also said rewards would depend on the government recovering the money, rather than simply bringing criminal charges.
Nick Shirley Reportedly Receives First $10,000 Award
Trump presented conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley with a $10,000 check as the White House launched a program rewarding tips about suspected government fraud, reported CBS News.
Shirley gained attention for a video investigating alleged fraud involving childcare programs in Minnesota.
Trump established the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in March, with Vance serving as chairman. The task force aims to investigate and reduce fraud in federal government programs.
Sanders Criticizes Trump Over Taxpayer-Funded Ads
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized Trump’s fraud whistleblower program, writing, “That’s great, Mr. Trump. I’d like to report a theft.”
He alleged that someone in the government had illegally spent nearly $22 million in taxpayer money on campaign ads praising himself.
Referring to Trump, Sanders added, “He now resides on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” and asked, “Taxpayers want to know when they’ll get their money back.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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