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By Theodore Bunker    | Monday, 26 October 2026 05:36 PM EDT

President Donald Trump said Monday that people whose reports of voter fraud in past elections or the upcoming midterms lead to arrests and convictions would receive $1 million, making the announcement eight days before voters decide control of Congress on Nov. 3.

“Anybody reporting Voter Fraud in the past Elections, or the upcoming 2026 Midterm Election, will be paid $1,000,000 upon the arrest and conviction of those that created the Fraud! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump’s statement does not identify an administering agency, funding source, or application process. It also does not explain what evidence would qualify, how competing claims would be evaluated, or whether the offer applies to state prosecutions, federal cases, or both.

The announcement follows a separate initiative Trump and Vice President JD Vance unveiled last week to reward people who report suspected fraud involving taxpayer money and government programs.

The Justice Department announced Oct. 20 that its Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program offers payments of $10,000 to $30,000 for information leading to criminal charges in qualifying cases. Awards are made at the department’s discretion after charges are filed.

The Treasury Department is committing $25 million to that program, which lets whistleblowers receive payments earlier than programs requiring a criminal case’s final resolution, including forfeiture proceedings and appeals.

Participants remain eligible for additional awards through other whistleblower programs. The initiative covers federal healthcare offenses and fraud involving government benefits, with priority given to hospice, home healthcare, daycare, and special services cases.

Vance chairs the administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which targets fraud, waste, and abuse across the federal government’s benefit programs.

Trump also described a 1% commission on fraud uncovered during last week’s Oval Office announcement. Monday’s statement does not clarify whether the voter fraud offer would operate through the existing initiative or a separate program.

The reward comes amid increased federal scrutiny of suspected unlawful voting. The Justice Department announced Oct. 19 that 28 lawful permanent residents in California faced election-related charges, including allegations of unlawful voting, fraudulent registration, and false statements during naturalization proceedings.

Federal authorities arrested 11 people that day as part of Operation Protect the Vote, a coordinated effort involving all four federal prosecutors’ offices in California. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty.

Some defendants face felony charges carrying maximum penalties of five years in federal prison. Others face misdemeanor charges of unlawful voting by noncitizens, which carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections. But documented illegal voting remains rare, according to research compiled by the Brennan Center for Justice, which says many allegations ultimately reflect mistakes by voters or election administrators.

Its review says alleged voter misconduct often proves baseless or exaggerated. The organization also warns that false fraud claims can make it harder for eligible American citizens to participate in elections.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.