Maybe it’s not that much in a federal budget the size of America’s, but perhaps a billion dollars here and a billion dollars there soon will add up.
At least, that’s a possibility after Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced a billion dollars in student aid fraud had been discovered.
Online, she said, “Fraudsters made the Naughty List this year. Because of the Trump Administration’s investigations, we unwrapped $1 BILLION in student aid fraud. Merry Christmas, taxpayers!”
Fraudsters made the Naughty List this year.
Because of the Trump Administration’s investigations, we unwrapped $1 BILLION in student aid fraud.
Merry Christmas, taxpayers!
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) December 11, 2025
As explained by the Washington Examiner, the Trump administration “stopped more than $1 billion in federal student aid fraud since January.”
“American citizens have to present an ID to purchase a ticket to travel or to rent a car – it’s only right that they should present an ID to access tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to fund their education,” McMahon confirmed.
“From day one, the Trump administration has been committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government. As a result, $1 billion in taxpayer funds will now support students pursuing the American dream, rather than falling into the hands of criminals. Merry Christmas, taxpayers!”
The federal agency also scolded the Joe Biden administration for deprioritizing fraud prevention measures to, instead, pursue, “illegal student loan bailout and other misguided policies.”
The report said the Department of Education has been working since summer to verify student identities in pursuit of its goal to eliminate theft and fraud.
The fraud often is committed by crime rings actually creating fake student identities, and seeking money for them.
