Trump launches $25 million whistleblower incentive program; Nick Shirley receives first payout

President Trump and Vice President Vance announced a $25 million whistleblower program that would pay out cash for people who tip off the federal government about fraudsters.

The Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program will offer a 1 percent commission to those who provide a tip that leads to a successful conviction. The president said he will act as the sole arbitrator of who receives payouts.

“If anybody turns anybody in… you get a 1 percent commission, and I think that will be amazing, because the kind of money that’s been stolen is trillions from this country,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

Anyone can submit a tip through fraud.gov, Trump said. He said he will act as “binding” arbitrator if there are multiple claims to the same award, to “expedite” the process.

“In other words, I’ll determine whether or not the person is deserving…and I will be very generous,” he said.

The first award was apparently given to conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, who joined Trump and Vance in the Oval Office. Fox News reported that Shirley would receive $10,000.

Shirley became a viral sensation on the right last year after posting a video documenting his search for fraudulent childcare programs in Minnesota.

The whistleblower program builds on the work of Vance’s anti-fraud task force.

“The president has said it must stop,” Vance said of fraud. “It is stopping, and if you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards now, thanks to what the president of the United States has done.”

Trump created the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in March, with Vance as chairman. The force was created to look into and reduce fraud in federal government programs.