Trump Tells Independent Reporter 'You Better Be Careful,' Asks 'Are You a Sick Person?' at Fraud-Program Event

President Trump rebuked Independent White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg three times in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The exchanges came during an event with Vice President JD Vance announcing a new federal fraud-tip program.

The program is the $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP. Tips submitted through fraud.gov that lead to an arrest and conviction can earn up to $30,000, according to the White House announcement as relayed by Fox News ahead of the event.

What Feinberg asked

Feinberg questioned why a new program was needed. The False Claims Act already lets whistleblowers collect a share of money the government recovers. By one account of his question, he asked why WHIP offered about 1% when the False Claims Act can pay whistleblowers at least 10%.

Feinberg wrote in The Independent that Trump answered, "Because it's a lot of money."

Vance called it a "fundamentally dishonest question." "Over 99% of the fraud that we're finding in the federal government isn't covered by the False Claims Act," he said. In his telling, the president wants anyone who uncovers evidence and helps the government recover money to benefit, "not just the very narrow slice that's covered by the False Claims Act."

That is the substantive disagreement: whether WHIP fills a gap or duplicates an existing law. Vance's 99% figure is his own claim, and no source offered data to back or test it.

The exchanges

Trump's first warning came when he had pointed to another reporter and Feinberg kept trying to speak. "I don't know who the hell you are, but you better be careful," Trump said, raising a finger.

Feinberg said on X that he had told Trump exactly who he was "not five minutes before this exchange."

The second came when Feinberg began asking about changes to East Potomac Park, including a new golf course. "On the golf course, sir, you own a lot of golf cour—" he said before Trump cut in: "Wait, wait, wait, wait. Quiet, quiet."

"What's wrong with you? Are you a sick person?" Trump asked.

"Not that I know of, sir," Feinberg answered.

Trump then said, "No, I actually think there's something wrong with you."

Feinberg later said he had recently had a yearly physical that went well, and that he "was doing my job, and I'll be back tomorrow."

The Express reported that Trump snapped at reporters at least three times during the session, including at a woman reporter earlier on. Trump also cut off a journalist asking about France's presidential election, telling him, "Hold it, please. You'll come. Relax."

Vance and the White House account

Vance posted the clip on X with the caption: "President Donald J. Trump eviscerates imbecile 'journalist' Andrew Feinberg for misbehaving in the Oval Office."

Feinberg replied: "Mr. Vice President, if you're going to insult me at least have the guts to tag my account."

The Daily Beast reported that the White House "Rapid Response" account, which multiple White House officials use, also posted about Feinberg. According to the Daily Beast, the post used an archaic slur for people with Down syndrome. The Daily Beast noted that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which Trump has recognized with a proclamation.

The event itself

Trump presented a $10,000 check to Nick Shirley, an influencer whose video alleged Minnesota's Somali community was running fake childcare centers to collect federal subsidies. The White House says a woman who ran a childcare center and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States appeared in Shirley's video.

The golf course question has a background. The Express reported that a federal judge struck down Trump's plans to restore and renovate a golf course in the capital. Trump responded on social media by calling the judge a "crazed lunatic" and posting photos of tree removal at the site. Feinberg's question was cut off before he could ask about any of it.

A pattern with the press

Trump's friction with reporters is long-running. Last November he told a reporter asking about Jeffrey Epstein files, "Quiet, piggy." Last month he lashed out at CNN's Kaitlan Collins at the U.N. General Assembly. His attempt to bar CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House was later blocked by a federal judge.

Feinberg's pledge to be back at the White House Wednesday, Oct. 21, is the next test of that access. The $25 million program takes tips through fraud.gov, and no payout has been announced yet.