Trump Administration Launches $25 Million Whistleblower Program to Combat Taxpayer Fraud
The new initiative, called WHIP, will offer rewards of up to $30,000 for tips leading to successful fraud convictions.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to launch a $25 million whistleblower program aimed at cracking down on taxpayer fraud. The initiative, dubbed WHIP (Whistleblower Incentive Program), will offer cash rewards of up to $30,000 to individuals whose tips lead to successful fraud convictions or significant federal enforcement actions.
The announcement comes as the administration intensifies its efforts in combating fraud against taxpayer dollars. The program will be administered by the Justice Department, with tip submissions being accepted through fraud.gov.
This initiative seeks to incentivize both independent journalists and ordinary citizens to report suspected fraud involving federal funds. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated, "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. This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans."
The program is an expansion of the administration's broader campaign against fraud in federal benefits programs. Trump established the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in March, with Vance serving as chairman. The task force's mission includes coordinating federal agency efforts to uncover fraud, enhance eligibility verification, and prevent improper payments.
Independent journalist Nick Shirley is slated to receive a $10,000 reward for his work exposing suspected fraud in Minnesota. Shirley's reporting in December 2025 highlighted concerns about the legitimacy of several Somali-run daycare centers, with his video evidence showing apparently empty facilities and testimony from individuals who claimed no children were present. The White House credited Shirley's reporting with prompting increased FBI and Department of Homeland Security resources in Minnesota, leading to investigations, arrests, and new charges.
One facility featured in Shirley's investigation, Future Leaders Early Learning Center, had its former CEO, Fahima Egeh Mahamud, plead guilty in July to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Prosecutors alleged Mahamud stole over $4.6 million through fraudulent child care assistance claims and an additional $850,000 through a federal child nutrition program connected to the Feeding Our Future scandal.
Shirley stated that Mahamud’s guilty plea validated his reporting, remarking, "Numbers don't lie, and convictions don't lie either." The administration has highlighted efforts to combat fraud, with Trump previously asserting that anti-fraud initiatives are uncovering billions in waste and that the potential savings could balance the federal budget.
Under the WHIP program, merely submitting an allegation will not qualify for a reward. The tip must directly result in a successful fraud conviction or a substantial federal enforcement action. The Task Force to Eliminate Fraud was established by executive order to coordinate cross-agency efforts against fraudulent activities.