From We Are Americans News Desk
Palm Beach, FL – As fireworks lit up the sky ushering in 2026, President Donald Trump took the stage at his lavish New Year’s Eve gala at Mar-a-Lago, delivering a bombshell announcement amid the celebrations. Addressing a crowd of supporters and dignitaries, Trump claimed that the ongoing Somali welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota has ballooned to a staggering $18 billion, doubling previous estimates and signaling what he described as a “giant scam” plaguing Democratic-led states.
“Can you imagine they stole $18 billion? That’s just what we’re learning about. That’s peanuts,” Trump declared, microphone in hand, against a backdrop of glittering lights and the “45th & 47th” signage. He didn’t stop at Minnesota, warning that California, Illinois, and New York harbor even larger fraud operations. “We’re gonna get to the bottom of all of it… We’re gonna get that money back, it’s all coming back,” he vowed, blending optimism for the new year with a pledge to crack down on what he sees as systemic abuse of taxpayer funds.
The remarks come amid intensified federal scrutiny of Minnesota’s social services programs. Federal prosecutors have expanded investigations into 14 programs, initially sparked by the “Feeding Our Future” case, where defendants allegedly siphoned $250 million in COVID-19 relief meant for child nutrition. The Trump administration has surged FBI agents and resources to the state, freezing $185 million in childcare funds and launching audits targeting Somali-American communities. Officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, describe it as the “tip of a very large iceberg,” with potential losses in the billions across welfare, Medicaid, and other entitlements.
Critics, including immigrant-rights advocates, accuse the administration of using the probes to unfairly target Somali immigrants, who form a significant population in Minnesota. They argue the $18 billion figure conflates total program spending with actual fraud, potentially exaggerating the scale to justify immigration crackdowns. Democratic leaders, like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have defended the programs, calling the freezes harmful to vulnerable families and urging transparent investigations.
Trump’s comments have reignited national debate on government waste, border security, and welfare reform. As his second term begins, experts predict more audits nationwide, with blue states in the crosshairs. The president ended on a lighter note: “Other than that, we’re gonna have a great day.”
🚨🇺🇸 TRUMP: "MINNESOTA SOMALI FRAUD NOW $18 BILLION… CALIFORNIA IS WORSE, ILLINOIS IS WORSE, NEW YORK IS WORSE"
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 1, 2026
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
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