Trump Launches $25 Million Fraud Bounty Program
AI-generated image · US National Wire · Based on a photo by Chad Davis (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
The administration is incentivizing public reports of fraud, rewarding influencers like Nick Shirley for 'independent journalism' that triggers federal action.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced the launch of the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP), a $25 million bounty pool designed to reward members of the public for reporting fraud, as The Verge first reported.
As part of the announcement, the administration awarded $10,000 to right-wing YouTuber Nick Shirley. Shirley gained prominence after producing a viral video in December 2025 alleging fraud at Minnesota daycares operated by the Somali community. The Verge reports that Shirley's actions led to federal immigration agents descending on Minneapolis and the Trump administration freezing federal childcare funding for the state, though state officials later found the centers were operating as expected.
The WHIP program specifically targets fraud in home healthcare, hospice, daycares, and special services. While a government portal and Fox News report that tipsters can receive up to $30,000 if a report leads to a conviction or significant federal action, President Trump suggested higher payouts. Trump stated that if a tip leads to the discovery of $1 billion, the person would receive a 1 percent commission, a figure that would far exceed the $30,000 cap.
Shirley has since expanded his activities to other states, visiting hospice centers and grocery stores unannounced. The Verge notes that Shirley is part of a growing ecosystem of MAGA-aligned creators who use confrontational 'independent journalism' to target businesses or individuals, often resulting in immigration crackdowns or harassment.