US President Donald Trump has announced a new programme to reward people who report fraud involving government programmes, naming conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley as the first recipient of a cash award.
Trump unveiled the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program at the White House on Tuesday, saying the initiative would reward tipsters who expose fraud in government-funded programmes.
Speaking from the Oval Office, the president said participants would receive an unlimited one per cent commission on the fraud they report. However, the Justice Department outlined a different reward structure, stating that eligible tips leading to criminal charges could attract payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000.
The department said the Treasury Department had committed $25 million to fund the programme, while the Justice Department would determine awards at its “sole discretion”.
Shirley, a 24-year-old conservative online influencer, was named the first recipient. Senior Trump administration officials have praised his viral video alleging fraud at some childcare centres in Minnesota, using the claims to support plans to cut certain federal funding to the state.
However, Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families disputed some of Shirley’s claims, describing them as misleading and exaggerated. Separately, a Minneapolis woman whose childcare centre was featured in the video later pleaded guilty to fraud charges.
Speaking at the White House, Shirley defended his work and said exposing wrongdoing benefited the country.
“There’s never been an incentive for anyone to ever expose fraud,” he said. “When you expose fraud, you help save America.”
Vice President JD Vance, who leads the administration’s anti-fraud task force, praised Shirley’s efforts, saying he had done more than anyone Vance had recently met as a citizen journalist to uncover fraud.
Vance added that Shirley would receive a financial reward for his work.
A White House official told media outlets that Shirley would receive $10,000. However, it was not immediately clear how he had been selected for the award.
The White House, Justice Department and Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Shirley could not immediately be reached.
Trump said he would personally oversee decisions about who received payments under the programme.
“I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions,” he said. “I will be very generous, believe me. We’re not looking to save on that.”
The Republican president has made allegations of fraud in Democratic-led states a major focus of his administration, pledging to tackle corruption. He has paid particular attention to Somali immigrants in Minnesota, whom he has previously disparaged.
