Trump announces fraud whistleblower rewards, says he’ll personally decide who gets paid
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump unveiled a new federal program to reward whistleblowers who expose fraud against the US government and taxpayers, vowing to determine who should receive payments.
The president spoke in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance, who heads the administration’s fraud task force, to announce the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program.
Trump to decide whistleblower fraud rewards
"I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions," the president said during his Oval Office announcement, with Vice President Vance, who heads the administration's fraud task force, standing beside him.
🚨 BREAKING: Nick Shirley, at 24, just stood next to the President of the United States and called out the media to its face. He exposed the Minnesota fraud with a camera, and the press didn't go after the fraudsters. His words: "When I expose fraud, instead the mainstream media investigating the fraud, they investigated me." He says people actually wanted to kill him for it. Trump said what we're all thinking: "They went after you instead of the fraudster. I'm not surprised." Shirley says the fraudsters bought Mercedes and sent our money overseas. Now regular Americans get paid to stop them. One kid did the media's job. Now they're the story.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 20, 2026
"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."
According to the president, ordinary citizens who expose fraud under the new program could receive rewards based on the amount of fraud they report.
Through the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, Trump said whistleblowers, including ordinary citizens, would be eligible to receive 1% of the amount of fraud they report, even if the reported fraud amounts to $100 billion.
However, America.gov/fraud states that successful whistleblowers will receive up to $30,000, depending on whether their reports result in criminal charges.
Asked by CBS News for clarification, Trump said there was no limit to whistleblower compensation and that criminal charges were not necessary.
"That's the answer. I quit while I'm ahead," Vance joked.
The president promised to be "fair" when making his decisions.
"You'll get your money immediately, but I'll make the determination," he continued. "So if two people are fighting over it, maybe they'll split it or maybe whatever, but I'll make that determination."
Nick Shirley receives $10,000 whistleblower reward
The first person to benefit from the program was Nick Shirley, a YouTuber in his 20s who published a video alleging fraud at childcare centers in Minnesota.
He stood alongside Trump in the Oval Office and was presented with a $10,000 check.
Some whistleblowers can already receive compensation under the False Claims Act, which allows qualifying individuals to receive between 25% and 30% of the proceeds recovered in successful cases.
However, the requirements are stringent, and the law's provisions exclude many potential whistleblowers.
Vance said "99%" of the fraud identified by the administration was not covered by the False Claims Act. He added that the new initiative would allow the government "to reach beyond" the existing law.
Representatives of Whistleblower Aid, a nonprofit organization that assists government whistleblowers, were less enthusiastic about the President’s announcement.
According to Naomi Seligman, president of Whistleblower Aid, Trump was "more interested in hunting down whistleblowers."
"If the president is truly interested in rooting out wrongdoing, Whistleblower Aid invites him to start by examining the violations perpetrated by his own administration, including senior officials," she said in a statement.
"We would happily work with him on this vital accountability effort to help save our democracy."
