Tomi Lahren: States like this are 'defrauding the American people'

In this segment, Fox News covers allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota’s welfare and federal relief programs. The hosts claim that approximately 50% of visa-related programs in the state are fraudulent, and allege that Governor Tim Walz either negligently allowed or deliberately permitted illegal entry of individuals who subsequently exploited state benefits.

According to Fox News, the Trump administration is launching investigations into what the network characterizes as Minnesota’s “historic welfare scandal.” The hosts allege that DHS Secretary Noem has already arrested 12 individuals allegedly unlawfully present, including those accused of serious crimes. Fox News further alleges that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is investigating whether billions diverted through welfare fraud by immigrants were sent to terrorist organizations.

The video presents Fox News’s claim that federal COVID relief programs were set up hastily, creating inadequate oversight mechanisms that enabled fraud. When shown footage of Minnesota’s governor discussing the issue, the hosts allege she was dismissive and unserious about addressing alleged misconduct. Fox News claims that Minnesota officials are refusing accountability, instead allegedly attributing scrutiny to racism.

Fox News alleges that similar fraud patterns exist across multiple states, including California and Michigan, and that federal taxpayer money has been misappropriated on a massive scale. The network reports that in 2024, $31 billion in Medicare and Medicaid payments were flagged as improper or fraudulent. According to the segment, a $100 million settlement was reached in New Jersey involving Blue Cross over allegedly improper overcharges.

The hosts allege that organized fraud rings—rather than isolated individuals—are responsible for the misconduct in Minnesota. Fox News claims these operations benefit from political lobbying and voting power from immigrant communities, allegedly creating incentives for officials to overlook fraud. One host alleges that some individuals fraudulently claimed their children had autism to bill the state for treatments.

Fox News reports that Democratic officials have responded to investigations by labeling scrutiny as racist rather than addressing the alleged fraud. The network features clips of Democratic figures criticizing the Trump administration’s rhetoric about Somali immigrants. According to Fox News, one undocumented immigrant featured in a photo with Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar allegedly had a deportation order since 2004 and previous welfare fraud convictions before being apprehended by ICE.

The hosts argue that addressing fraud should not be partisan, and allege that Democratic resistance to investigations stems from electoral considerations, given the voting power of Somali communities in Minnesota. Fox News suggests that the public’s 2024 election voting patterns reflected demand for law and order enforcement.

In Fox News’s Own Words

“50% of them are fraudulent. Which means that wacko Governor Walz, either is an idiot or did it on purpose.”

“It’s not just taxpayer dollars being wasted. People who need this money are not getting it because there’s only a finite amount.”

“Fraud is fraud regardless of where you come from. What he ought to be doing is he should say the buck stops with me.”

Why it matters: Fox News frames welfare fraud allegations as a fundamental governance failure with national implications beyond Minnesota, arguing that systemic oversight failures endanger both taxpayer resources and the intended beneficiaries of assistance programs.