Trump Hijacks Mar-a-Lago New Year Party With $18 Billion Fraud Tirade

President Donald Trump turned a New Year party at Mar a Lago into a political moment on Wednesday night, pressing an old complaint about social services fraud in Minnesota and drawing his guests into the row. His short remarks moved quickly from praise for allies to strong charges about fraud at Somali run child care centers.

The fight over fraud flared after a video posted online this week by YouTuber Nick Shirley alleged widespread misuse of federal child care funds at centers in the Twin Cities. The clip drew millions of views and renewed pressure on state and federal officials to explain long running problems in Minnesota child care programs.

Trump used the stage to push those claims and name a few targets. “We’re back! I didn’t think it could happen this fast, but it did,” he said. “Faster than anybody thought possible. We have a lot of leaders here. Great leaders, like Tom Emmer, whom I saw on television today. He was talking about the Somalia fraud. He was talking about the Somalian population and not very nicely.” The president kept the crowd with short, punchy lines that moved from pride to alarm in under a minute.

He also framed the story as part of a larger picture of waste and theft. “We’re going to take back our country,” Trump continued. “Can you imagine, they stole $18 billion. That’s just what we’re learning about.” He then compared states, saying, “That’s peanuts,” and adding, “California is worse. Illinois is worse. And, sadly, New York is worse.” Those claims amplified a political narrative he and his allies have pushed about fraud across the country.

The timing of the comments matters. In recent days the release of files tied to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has put pressure on the president and his circle. Some Republicans and conservative media figures have seized on the Minnesota story to shift the public focus away from the Epstein records. That tug of war played out in a room meant for champagne and cheers.

For Minnesota officials the sudden surge of attention has been a test. State leaders say they have been working on fraud cases for years and point to prior prosecutions in complex schemes tied to pandemic era payments. At the same time some providers and community leaders say the viral video misrepresented what regulators have already checked and that the coverage has led to threats and harassment against staff. The debate has stirred real fear about the future of care for low income families.

The White House response has included new audits and tighter rules for some programs, an action that supporters call necessary and critics call heavy handed. The move has already prompted protests and sharp words from lawmakers who view the steps as political theater rather than a measured fix. In short the policy ripples are fast and messy and likely to reach many families who rely on subsidies.

As the music faded and the confetti settled, the online reaction was louder than the party itself, with X users unloading disbelief, anger, and dark humor in rapid fire succession.

Featured image via X screengrab