Americans who report fraud against taxpayers could collect up to $30,000 under a new $25 million federal reward program that President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are rolling out Tuesday, a White House official said.
The Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, called WHIP, is being unveiled at an Oval Office event with the administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, according to Fox News, which first reported the plan. The Washington Examiner and Townhall reported the same details. The event was set for 1:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Central.
How the program works
- Reward: Up to $30,000 per eligible tip, paid from a $25 million pool.
- What qualifies: The tip must lead to a successful fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action. Sending a tip alone does not qualify for a reward.
- Who runs it: The U.S. Justice Department will administer the program.
- Where to report: Tips go through fraud.gov. That address now opens the White House’s “Fraud Ledger” page, which has a “Report fraud” link.
“Every day, President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is zeroing in on the rampant abuse of taxpayer dollars and giving Americans the accountability they deserve,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement. “This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans.”
First check goes to Minnesota video maker
Trump planned to hand a $10,000 check to independent journalist Nick Shirley, the White House official said. Shirley’s December 2025 video questioned whether several Minnesota day care centers were operating as real businesses.
The White House credits the video with drawing more FBI and Homeland Security agents to Minnesota, followed by investigations, arrests and new charges. The former head of one center shown in the video, Fahima Mahamud, pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Prosecutors said she took more than $4.6 million through false child care assistance claims and $850,000 from a federal child nutrition program tied to the Feeding Our Future case, Fox News reported.
The task force behind it
Trump created the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud by executive order in March and named Vance its chairman. The order directs federal agencies to work together to find fraud, tighten eligibility checks and stop improper payments.
Sources: Fox News; Washington Examiner; Townhall; White House statement (Lauren Bis); fraud.gov.
