Unpacking claim Trump pardoned man who stole more than alleged Somali fraudsters in Minnesota

U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned a swindler who was serving a sentence for stealing far more money than was taken in massive welfare fraud in Minnesota involving members of the state's Somali community.

Rating: Mixture

What's False
Trump did not pardon the swindler in question, Philip Esformes. In 2020, Trump commuted his 20-year sentence to time served. Esformes remained liable for $44.2 million in restitution and forfeiture.

What's Undetermined
Esformes was convicted of stealing $1.3 billion from Medicaid and Medicare. The total amount stolen in Minnesota has yet to be determined. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said fraudsters may have stolen as much as $9 billion since 2018 from various welfare benefit programs. A Minnesota Star Tribune calculation in early December 2025 found $217.7 million in stolen money, which the government disputed.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-pardon-fraud-minnesota-somali/