GOP Pushes Fraud Claims Against SNAP Benefits—But Where’s the Proof?

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has spent the past week claiming that individuals are fraudulently receiving SNAP benefits while driving luxury vehicles. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins posted on X, stating,

“In just ONE state, 14,000 individuals receiving SNAP benefits were driving LUXURY VEHICLES!”

Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Rand Paul amplified these claims, which originated from the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), a conservative think tank based in Florida. Since its launch in 2011, FGA has advocated for dismantling social safety net programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Social Security.

The USDA confirmed in an email to Mother Jones that FGA—along with a New York Post article authored by an FGA staffer—were the sole sources of the data. However, the USDA declined further comment on the record.

Questionable Data and Lack of Transparency

The numbers cited by FGA and the USDA raise serious concerns:

• The report does not identify the state where thousands of people allegedly used SNAP benefits to purchase luxury vehicles.
• The report omits any explanation of its methodology, leaving key details unverified.

FGA has long pushed for stricter SNAP restrictions, despite evidence that fraud is far less prevalent than claimed. According to the USDA, SNAP trafficking rates—the illegal sale of benefits for cash—have dropped from about 4% in the 1990s to around 1.5% today. When overpayments occur, they are more often due to administrative errors rather than intentional fraud.

Echoes of a Racist Stereotype

Much of FGA’s rhetoric mirrors the Reagan-era myth of the “welfare queen,” a racialized stereotype falsely claiming that Black women exploit SNAP benefits to gain wealth. Notably, the largest racial group receiving SNAP benefits is white. FGA’s website explicitly advocates for cutting SNAP benefits to “better serve the truly needy.”

Recent Policy Changes Under Trump

In July 2025, FGA celebrated a major victory when President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, expanding work requirements for SNAP recipients. As of February 2025, all adults aged 18 to 64 without dependents under 14 must work at least 20 hours per week to qualify for benefits. Previously, this rule applied only to adults aged 18 to 54 without dependents under 18. Some previously exempt groups, including veterans and people experiencing homelessness, must now meet these requirements or risk losing benefits.

Critics argue that such regulations fail to address the root causes of underemployment, which stem from a lack of available jobs.

Who Relies on SNAP?

SNAP currently provides food assistance to more than 38 million Americans each month. Over two-thirds of recipients are elderly, disabled, or under 18. To qualify for benefits, individuals must meet strict income and asset limits set by the USDA.