Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Trump announces fraud tip rewards and says he will decide who gets paid
The US government announced a program to reward people who report fraud against it.
President Donald Trump said he would decide which tipsters deserve payment, including when people dispute who reported a case first.
The program website says rewards are capped at $30,000 and depend on tips leading to criminal charges, though Trump described payments of 1% of the fraud and said there was no limit.
The Justice Department will administer the program, while reports submitted through its website will go to the Treasury Department.
Vice-President JD Vance said the program covers fraud beyond the False Claims Act, an existing system that can reward some whistleblowers whose lawsuits lead to government action.
The new program is intended to encourage more people to report fraud involving the government.
How rewards will be decided remains unclear, and the Justice Department has sole discretion over payments under the program website.
President Donald Trump said he would decide which whistleblowers receive rewards under a new federal program for reporting fraud against the government.
The program offers rewards for tips that lead to criminal charges, but its website says payments are capped at $30,000.
Trump said whistleblowers could receive 1% of the fraud they report and that there was no limit on compensation.
The program’s stated terms and Trump’s description differ on both the payment cap and whether criminal charges are required.
Vice-President JD Vance said the program was created to encourage reports of fraud not covered by the False Claims Act.
- Who
- President Donald Trump said he would decide who receives rewards. Vice-President JD Vance announced the program with him.
- What
- The federal government announced a program offering rewards for tips about fraud against it. Trump said he would determine who gets paid.
- When
- October 20, 2026.
- Where
- The announcement was made in the Oval Office at the White House.
- Why
- Vance said the program is intended to encourage people to report fraud, including cases not covered by the False Claims Act.
Trump
Department of Justice program website
Payment amount
Trump
Trump said whistleblowers could receive 1% of reported fraud and told CBS News there was no limit.
Department of Justice program website
The program website says rewards are capped at $30,000.
Eligibility
Trump
Trump told CBS News criminal charges are not necessary for payment.
Department of Justice program website
The program website says a report must result in criminal charges for a reward.
Decision-making
Trump
Trump said he would decide whether a claimant deserved a reward.
Department of Justice program website
The Justice Department website says the department has sole discretion over issuing rewards.
YouTuber Nick Shirley published a video alleging fraud at childcare centers in Minnesota.
Trump and Vance announced the new Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program at the White House.
Trump said he would determine who receives rewards, while the program website described a $30,000 cap.
- Program name
- Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program
- Maximum reward listed online
- $30,000
- Trump’s stated reward rate
- 1% of reported fraud
- Program administrator
- Department of Justice
- Existing program cited
- False Claims Act
- Example whistleblower
- Nick Shirley, a YouTuber who alleged fraud at Minnesota childcare centers
2 sources
What people are saying
I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions
In other words, I'll determine whether or not the person is deserving and I'll determine — and I will be very generous, believe me.
We’re going to let the reporters partake because you know a lot of things that are happening
99% of the fraud they're finding isn't covered by the False Claims Act.