On October 20, 2026, two weeks before the midterms, the Justice Department launched a pilot program paying people who report fraud against the federal government, with the Treasury committing $25 million. Under the department's written terms, rewards run from $10,000 to $30,000, are paid after charges are unsealed, and are awarded at the department's “sole discretion.” At the Oval Office launch, Trump described a different arrangement: “I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions. In other words, I'll determine whether or not the person is deserving,” and “I will be very generous, believe me.” Asked about the cap, he said, “It's 1 percent. There's no limit,” and added, “Does everybody trust me to do it? I promise there's nothing in this for me,” according to the Roll Call Factbase transcript. Nothing in the department's terms provides for a percentage or for the president to decide awards.
The White House said Trump would present a $10,000 check to Nick Shirley, a right-wing YouTuber whose 2025 video alleged that Somali-run day cares in Minnesota were collecting subsidies fraudulently. CBS News Minnesota reported he handed Shirley the check; the AP reported no check was given in front of journalists. How Shirley qualified under rules that took effect that day has not been explained.