President Donald Trump this week announced a new “war on fraud,” to be led by Vice President J.D. Vance, and suggested that alleged “corruption” in states like Massachusetts, California, and Maine may be as severe as that in Minnesota. This follows a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota that prompted Governor Tim Walz not to seek reelection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trump’s claim about Massachusetts accurate?
The source indicates the claim does not appear to be accurate. The numbers linked to public benefits fraud in Massachusetts are much smaller than those in Minnesota.
How much fraud has been uncovered in Massachusetts?
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio announced the discovery of nearly $12 million in public benefits fraud in Massachusetts in FY25, including $4.1 million in SNAP fraud. The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts alleges nearly $7 million in SNAP fraud occurred at two convenience stores. Federal prosecutors have also announced charges linked to over $1 million in alleged fraud.
What is the difference between fraud and “leakage” in Massachusetts?
Jim Stergios of the Pioneer Institute argues that a more pressing problem in Massachusetts is “leakage,” which refers to outdated systems causing mistaken payments rather than intentional fraud. In 2024, the federal government found 22% of Massachusetts unemployment insurance payments represented leakage or fraud, a figure that has since been reduced to 16%.
The addition of Maine to the list of states targeted in this “war on fraud” may be linked to that state’s large Somali population and Trump’s previous comments describing Somalis as “pirates,” as well as ongoing tensions between Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills.
Given the political context and the differing scales of reported fraud, will this “war on fraud” lead to concrete policy changes, or will it remain primarily a rhetorical strategy?
