In a startling accusation, U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that a massive fraud scheme led to the theft of billions in government funds, specifically alleging that "Somalis took $18 billion." He described the situation as a "giant scam" and indicated that his administration is only now uncovering the full scale of the alleged losses.
The Core Allegations and Broader Claims
President Trump made these remarks amid a fraud probe in Minnesota, though he suggested the problem is not confined to one state. He warned that similar issues are even more severe in other parts of the country, naming California, Illinois, and New York as examples. Trump stated that his team is "just learning about" the extent of the alleged financial losses.
Interestingly, he downplayed the enormous $18 billion figure, calling it "peanuts" compared to what might be discovered in investigations across other states. This suggests the President believes the total amount of misappropriated funds could be far higher nationwide.
Context and International Reactions
The allegations come at a time of heightened international tensions. Notably, the news snippet references a separate incident where a Somali envoy publicly insulted Israel at the United Nations. This followed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's political gamble to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland, a move fiercely opposed by the Somali federal government.
While not directly connected to the fraud allegations, this diplomatic friction adds a layer of geopolitical context to Trump's pointed comments about Somali actors.
What Happens Next?
President Trump has vowed to "get to the bottom of all of it." This promise of a thorough investigation indicates that the allegations of stolen government funds will be a focal point for his administration. The mention of states like California and New York sets the stage for what could become a wide-ranging federal probe into public fund management and fraud.
The claims, if proven, would represent one of the largest cases of public financial fraud in recent history. However, as of now, these remain allegations made by the President without detailed public evidence from the ongoing probe. The situation continues to develop, and further details from the Minnesota investigation are awaited.
