In a breaking announcement, President Trump said in January 2026 that a federal fraud investigation into California under Gov. Gavin Newsom is underway, claiming it surpasses Minnesota’s scandals. It highlights DOGE findings of $382M in fraudulent unemployment payments since 2020 ($305M in CA), a $180M education fraud audit at Highlands Charter Schools
Similarly, many critics drew attention to the indictment of Dana Williamson, the former Newsom chief of staff, on corruption charges, improper welfare and unemployment payouts, and intra-Democratic criticism from Rep. Ro Khanna, who called for audits amid billions in waste. Similarly, famous golfer Phil Mickelson criticized CA’s fraud and tax policies
In any case, the president took to Truth Social to announce the investigation. “California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he posted.
Many following this story focused on Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who spoke to CNN in December 2025, highlighting the fraud. He claimed, “It was the governor’s own inspector general who said that there are billions of dollars of fraud and waste.”
When the news broke on social media, conservatives were elated. “President Trump announces the Fraud Investigation of California has begun. He says California under Governor Gavin Newscum is “more corrupt than Minnesota.” Trump is right,” one response read
Cheering on the investigation, another popular response noted, “The people of California voted for Prop 187 in 1994 to deny illegal aliens state benefits, pal. Democracy spoke, a lone judge struck it down & the beautiful Golden State was overrun by illegal aliens Democrats protect and shield from deportation. Make California America Again.”
Watch CNN’s token conservative, Scott Jennings, demand Bondi start arresting lawmakers and government officials in response to the scandal:
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As we reported at the American Tribune, Phil Mickelson took to social media to blast California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state government. “No amount of tax can help CA until the fraud problem gets fixed. CA fraud makes MN look like amateurs,” he said.
Continuing his comments, he added, “Instead of stopping the fraud and theft and getting back the money, the plan is more taxes for already the highest taxed citizens in the country. How about no new taxes until government gets rid of fraud. Until that happens, more taxes will only fund more fraud.”
“The dilemma for all Democrats is if you stop the fraud, illegal immigration, and voter fraud in CA, then Republicans win CA and have a huge majority throughout the country. The Democrat party all but ends,’ the beloved athlete said.
Wrapping up his flurry of criticism, Mickelson asked, “Legitimate question. We know CA government commits $billions in fraud every year. When we pay our taxes knowing it is directly funding fraudulent entities, does that make us complicit? Don’t pay and go to jail. Pay and you’re funding the biggest government fraud in the country 🤔”
Echoing these comments, the President declared, “There is more FRAUD in California than there is in Minnesota, if that is even possible. When you add in Election Fraud, then they are tied for first. Two Crooked Governors, two Crooked States!”