The bigger story is how easily billions vanish without anyone blinking.
TRUMP: “MINNESOTA SOMALI FRAUD NOW $18 BILLION… CALIFORNIA IS WORSE, ILLINOIS IS WORSE, NEW YORK IS WORSE”
Trump revealed that Minnesota’s Somali welfare fraud has doubled to $18 billion during a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, warning that other blue states have even larger fraud operations running:
“Can you imagine they stole $18 billion.
That’s just what we’re learning about.
That’s peanuts.
California is worse, Illinois is worse, and sadly, New York is worse.
A lot of other places.
We’re gonna get to the bottom of all of it.
It was a giant scam.
Other than that, we’re gonna have a great day.
We’re gonna get that money back, it’s all coming back.”
Source:
@EricLDaugh
🚨🇺🇸 TRUMP: "MINNESOTA SOMALI FRAUD NOW $18 BILLION… CALIFORNIA IS WORSE, ILLINOIS IS WORSE, NEW YORK IS WORSE"
Trump revealed that Minnesota's Somali welfare fraud has doubled to $18 billion during a New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, warning that other blue states have even… https://t.co/38zMrbHnWS pic.twitter.com/BHIN0sZ8tZ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 1, 2026
As he addressed the gathering, he spelled out the shocking amount of government waste that had come from the state, days after a viral video blew the story wide open.
‘They stole $18 billion, that’s just what we’re learning about. California’s worse, Illinois’ worse and sadly, New York’s worse, a lot of other places,’ he said.
As the assembled crowd of celebrities, members of his cabinet and family applauded, he then declared that ‘we’re gonna’ get to the bottom of all of it.
On Friday, right-wing influencer Nick Shirley posted a video on YouTube, claiming that day care centers operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis had committed up to $100m in fraud.
In the video he stands outside two deserted ‘daycare centers’ which have collected $2.6m in federal grants despite not appearing to be in operation and highlighted a number of other alleged frauds.
The explosive accusation sparked nationwide anger, and the Trump administration announced on Tuesday it is freezing $185m in child care funds to the state and demanded an audit of fraud schemes involving government programs.
🚨 DAVID SACKS: “The country is being eaten alive, it feels like, by fraud. Government funds are being stolen, votes are being stolen, I believe elections are being stolen. And it all comes from the fact that the party of government doesn't really care where the money goes.” pic.twitter.com/mxObcS82Lz
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 1, 2026
“Has anybody else started to reach their breaking point? This is starting to look like a country that I am no longer proud to have served.”
“Accountability and a f*cking tax strike is what needs to happen!”
ALL OF THIS!! 🔥🔥👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/pJYbrHaQLE
— TONY™ (@TONYxTWO) January 1, 2026