Trump says US will compensate fraud whistleblowers and decide who gets paid: ‘I’ll be very generous’

Washington — President Trump announced Tuesday that the federal government would compensate whistleblowers who report people defrauding the U.S. government and taxpayers, but said he would decide who gets paid.

“I will be the arbiter of all these decisions,” the president said during his announcement in the Oval Office with Vice President JD Vance, who heads the administration’s fraud task force, at his side. “In other words, I will determine whether the person is deserving or not and I will determine – and I will be very generous, believe me.”

Through the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, Trump said whistleblowers, who can be ordinary citizens, will be eligible to receive 1% of the amount of fraud they report, even if the reported fraud is $100 billion. America.gov/fraud says, however, that successful whistleblowers will be paid up to $30,000, depending on which report results in criminal charges. Asked by CBS News for clarification, Trump said there was no limit to compensation for whistleblowers and that criminal charges were not necessary.

“That’s the answer. I quit while I was ahead,” Vance joked.

The president promised to be “fair” in his decisions.

“You will receive your money immediately, but I will make the decision,” he continued. “So if two people are fighting over this, maybe they’ll split it or maybe something else, but I’ll make that decision.”

The America.gov/fraud website says the reports are encrypted and will be transmitted directly to the Treasury Department. It’s not immediately clear who reviews the reports, although the Justice Department will administer the program.

The first person to benefit from the program is Nick Shirleya YouTuber in his twenties who released a video alleging daycare fraud in Minnesota. He stood alongside Mr. Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday and was presented with a check for $10,000.

Some whistleblowers may already receive compensation under the False Claims Act, which allows certain whistleblowers to be entitled to up to 25 to 30 percent of the amounts recovered. But the requirements are strict. Vance said “99%” of fraud detected is not covered by the False Claims Act.

Naomi Seligman, president of the nonprofit Whistleblower Aid, was skeptical of Mr. Trump’s announcement, saying the president “is more interested in tracking down whistleblowers.”

“If the President is serious about rooting out wrongdoing, Whistleblower Aid urges him to start by examining the violations perpetrated by his own administration, including by senior officials,” she said in a statement. “We would be happy to work with him on this vital accountability effort to help save our democracy.”