Trump administration rewards influencer and launches $25 million fraud bounty program
The U.S. government has awarded $10,000 to Nick Shirley and established a $25 million fund to incentivize public reporting of suspected fraud.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced on Tuesday a $10,000 payment to YouTuber Nick Shirley. The award follows a video Shirley published in December 2025, which alleged fraudulent practices at daycares in Minnesota operated by members of the local Somali community.
Concurrently, the administration launched a $25 million bounty program designed to encourage members of the public to report instances of suspected fraud. This initiative aims to expand the government's investigative reach by utilizing crowdsourced information.
Shirley’s original video, which featured footage of the creator attempting to enter private childcare facilities, previously prompted federal immigration agents to initiate investigations into the targets of his claims. Critics have questioned the methodology of using social media content as a basis for federal administrative action.
This $25 million program represents a shift in federal policy toward incentivizing citizen-led investigations. The administration has positioned the move as a tool for public accountability.