DOJ launches fraud whistleblower incentive program amid social media backlash
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The Justice Department announced a new program offering $10,000-$30,000 for information leading to fraud charges, but the rollout prompted a wave of mocking tips targeting President Donald Trump on social media.
The U.S. Department of Justice unveiled a Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program on Tuesday, offering rewards of $10,000 to $30,000 for information that results in criminal charges. The initiative is part of a broader effort led by Vice President JD Vance to combat alleged fraud in welfare and immigration programs.
Within hours of the announcement, the online reporting portal was flooded with tips that appeared to mock the program by accusing President Donald Trump of fraud. One user on X, known as “JoJo From Jerz,” wrote, “So, we're mass reporting him, right?” Another posted, “I’d like to turn in Donald Jezebel Trump,” while a third asked for the official address of Mar-a-Lago, saying, “I wanna get rich.”
President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that a whistleblower could receive one percent of any recovery secured by the DOJ under the new scheme. He added, “At one percent, people will make millions and millions of dollars for turning in what actually is a somewhat routine crime… But we’re talking about billions and actually probably trillions of dollars.”
White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg noted that the existing False Claims Act already allows whistleblowers to receive 10 to 25 percent of recovered funds. When asked why the new portal would be preferred, Trump replied, “Because it’s a lot of money.”
During the briefing, Trump responded sharply to Feinberg’s questions, telling the reporter to “be careful,” and later asking, “What’s wrong with you? Are you a sick person?” Feinberg replied, “Not that I know of, sir.”