Trump and Vance set to launch $25 million fraud tip rewards
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to unveil a $25 million program Tuesday that would pay fraud tipsters up to $30,000, Fox News and NBC News reported. A tip would have to lead to a conviction or a major federal enforcement action. Trump also plans to give Nick Shirley a $10,000 check.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to unveil a $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon, Fox News first reported, citing a White House official. NBC News reported that the announcement was set for 1:30 PM.
The program will offer eligible tipsters up to $30,000 if their information leads to a successful fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action, according to Fox News and NBC News. The Justice Department will run it, and Americans will be able to submit tips through fraud.gov, Fox News reported. Submitting an allegation alone would not qualify someone for a reward, the official said, according to Fox News.
"This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said, according to Fox News and NBC News.
Trump also plans to present Nick Shirley with a $10,000 check for his reporting on suspected fraud in Minnesota, Fox News reported. Fox News called Shirley an independent journalist, and NBC News called him a conservative influencer. The White House says his videos led to several arrests, investigations and charges in the state, NBC News reported. Fox News reported that the White House credited his reporting with helping spur a surge of FBI and Homeland Security resources into Minnesota.
Shirley drew national attention with a video questioning whether several Somali-run Minnesota day-care centers were operating as legitimate businesses, Fox News reported. One center featured in the video was Future Leaders Early Learning Center, whose former CEO pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to Fox News.
Trump created the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in March, with Vance as its chairman, Fox News reported. The executive order directed the group to coordinate efforts across federal agencies to uncover fraud, strengthen eligibility checks and prevent improper payments, according to Fox News. The reward program adds a public tip incentive to that broader campaign, Fox News reported.
Neither Fox News nor NBC News reported any Democratic reaction to the program.
What we know: The White House plans a $25 million program, to be run by the Justice Department, that would pay up to $30,000 for fraud tips that lead to convictions or major enforcement actions.
What we don't: What Trump and Vance will say at the event, and how the Justice Department will decide which tips qualify.
Where outlets agree Fox News and NBC News report that the $25 million program will pay tipsters up to $30,000 for information that leads to a fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action.
Where they differ Fox News calls Shirley an independent journalist, while NBC News calls him a conservative influencer.