Trump Critiques Minnesota’s Fraud Allegations at New Year’s Event

During a New Year’s Eve gathering at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump criticized claims of social services fraud in Minnesota. He remarked, “Can you imagine they stole $18 billion? That’s exactly what we’re learning. It’s essentially nothing compared to what’s happening in California, Illinois, and, sadly, New York.”

He went on to assert, “We’re going to get to the bottom of this. It was a huge fraud,” reflecting a strong commitment to addressing the issue. Trump noted that he had seen Representative Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) discussing allegations linked to the Somali community earlier that day.

As news of fraud charges in Minnesota unfolds, with potential losses estimated around $1 billion, federal prosecutors have started indicting numerous individuals for their alleged involvement. White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt issued a warning, stating that “people are going to be handcuffed,” indicating the seriousness of the situation under Governor Tim Walz’s leadership.

“President Trump is not going to leave Governor Walz alone,” Levitt added in a segment on “Fox & Friends.” Walz has faced significant scrutiny since the fraud scandal became public. Although he has acknowledged the issue, he has commented that it’s “on my radar” and that he bears a “responsibility” to manage the matter.

Levitt also mentioned that the Trump administration is ramping up federal support for Minnesota as various agencies investigate the fraud allegations. In a related move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared that it is freezing all child care payments to the state amidst ongoing concerns over fraudulent activities at child care centers across Minnesota.