New Delhi: US Senator Bernie Sanders has taken a sarcastic dig at President Donald Trump’s administration over its use of taxpayer money, after Trump announced a $25 million whistleblower programme to reward people who report fraud involving government funds.
“I’d like to report a theft,” Sanders wrote on X on 20 October, referring to the administration’s spending on a $20 million advertising campaign featuring Trump.
Funded by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the ads featured Trump and promoted his administration’s message ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
“A man inside our government illegally spent nearly $22 million in taxpayer dollars on bogus campaign ads praising himself. He now resides on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Taxpayers want to know when they’ll get their money back,” Sanders added.
Trump administration’s ads
The advertisements received criticism on the grounds that taxpayers’ money was being used to promote the president rather than provide essential public information.
“Trump must return this money to the American people, and there must be a full investigation into this gross waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told The Associated Press.
According to a Washington Post report, the money had been set aside for commemorative events related to border security, but was redirected to pay for the advertisements.
On 11 October, US District Judge Jennifer Rochon temporarily blocked the administration from airing the advertisements. The ruling was a temporary order, not a final determination that the spending constituted theft.
The Trump administration defended the advertisements as public service announcements. Trump had also said on 5 October that his political fundraising group, MAGA Inc., would pay for future advertisements.
However, the administration has not committed to reimbursing taxpayers for the money already spent.
Sanders’ post highlights the political controversy over the use of public money.
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Trump’s new whistleblower programme
Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program on 20 October, setting aside $25 million to encourage people to report suspected fraud involving federal government funds.
Under the program, administered by the US Department of Justice, eligible tipsters can receive up to $30,000 if their information leads to a fraud conviction or federal enforcement action.
(Edited by Maryam Hassan)