The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ramping up efforts to crack down on food stamp fraud nationwide, targeting what officials say is a loophole allowing some wealthy individuals to qualify for government benefits.

Secretary Brooke Rollins posted on X this week that a single state has 14,000 individuals on SNAP benefits who also drive luxury vehicles like Ferraris, Bentleys and Lamborghinis. 

She warned fraudsters the USDA is working to close a loophole under the Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility policy used to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits despite having the financial means to purchase cars for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Rollins told Fox Business this week that the department is “getting very, very close to being able to fix that” loophole.

FOOD-STAMP FRAUD NUMBERS EXPOSE WHICH STATES ARE DRAINING THE MOST TAXPAYER DOLLARS

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says changes are coming to the food stamps program. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Reuters/iStock)

SNAP, the largest federal anti-hunger program in the United States, has long been a target of conservatives pushing for reforms, and Rollins spoke to “The Ingraham Angle” on Thursday night to shed light on just how widespread some of the issues are.

“We’ve found 500,000 people getting more than one benefit illegally, we found 244,000 dead people — this is just the red states,” Rollins said about what she’s discovered going through the data from the states that have agreed to provide it since her first day on the job.

“We have arrested 895 different people in the last year for illegally using the food stamp system and, of course, now we’re talking about what is happening with that money,” she added.

USDA data shows 4.2 million fewer food stamp recipients during President Trump’s first year in office as the administration continues to crack down amid reports from all across the country that food stamps are being misused.

NEW SNAP WORK REQUIREMENTS TAKE EFFECT IN MORE STATES UNDER TRUMP-BACKED LAW

A We Accept Food Stamps sign hangs in the window of a grocery store in Miami, Fla., on Oct. 31, 2025. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“Food stamp waste and fraud is out of control,” Republican congressional candidate in Orange County and CAL DOGE Director Jenny Rae Le Roux told Fox News Digital. “California alone loses nearly $14M every day from SNAP to EBT skimming, out of state and country beneficiaries, and eligibility lapses – at a time when technology exists to close every gap, quickly.”

In March, Fox News Digital reported on a Minnesota man, Rob Undersander, who said that despite being a millionaire, he was able to qualify for food stamps. Undersander has been sounding the alarm on the issue ever since and has testified on the issue in Minnesota and before Congress.

“Reintroducing basic guardrails like an asset test is a common-sense step to restore integrity, ensure benefits go to those who truly need them and protect the long-term viability of the program,” America First Policy Institute Health & Harvest Campaign Director Matt Schmid said in March. “This isn’t about taking help away. It’s about making sure SNAP works the way it was intended to.”

Additionally, USDA issued a press release on Thursday outlining the “reorganization” plan Rollins has within the SNAP program, which includes moving the food nutrition resources and staff out of Washington, D.C. to other cities like Indianapolis, Dallas, Denver and Kansas City.

A USDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday the announcement “aligns with the Food and Nutrition Administration’s mission, to nourish those in need through financially sound programs that promote health and work, as well as champion the productivity of American agriculture.”

“As the Food and Nutrition Administration begins its refocusing of operations, all 16 federal nutrition programs will continue without disruption. Pertaining to Indianapolis, it has a lower cost of living, one of the top airports in the country, and has excelled at innovative program delivery.”

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Ultimately, the administration says the reforms will end up helping the people who depend on the assistance the most.

“Since its inception, SNAP has helped our most vulnerable citizens afford the essential and nutritious food they need,” Rollins and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote in a Fox News op-ed in March. “At least, that is what the program is supposed to do.”

“Over time, however, SNAP has been taken advantage of, allowing many to game the system and leaving millions of vulnerable Americans without healthy, nutrient-dense food options.”

Fox News Digital’s Katelyn Caralle contributed to this report.

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Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., pushed back against criticism of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner over his “Nazi tattoo” and past online comments, arguing that Platner’s behavior may be linked to PTSD stemming from his deployment to Afghanistan and that he deserves a second chance.

Platner, an Army and Marine Corps veteran, is vying to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Now that Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspended her Senate campaign Thursday, Platner has become the leading Democratic candidate in Maine’s U.S. Senate race.

In an interview with Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer, Van Hollen described Platner as a candidate that “can beat Susan Collins” and appeal to a broad coalition of supporters, particularly blue-collar workers, labor groups and Native American tribes. Van Hollen said although Platner has had his “ups and downs,” he has proven able to connect with voters.

SEE IT: BILLBOARDS EMERGE AS GOP CAMPAIGN TROLLS ‘FAKE INDEPENDENT’ SENATE CANDIDATE WITH SOCIALIST THEME

Graham Platner, a Democrat from Maine and U.S. Senate candidate, speaks in South Portland, Maine, on March 6, 2026. (Sofia Aldinio/Bloomberg)

“The dude has a Nazi tattoo,” Sherman asked. “How do you view that?” He went on to suggest that would be “disqualifying” to run for office.

“Let’s take a couple issues, including the comments he’s made in the past,” Van Hollen said. “I mean, he’s been very clear that he went into combat on behalf of the United States. He went through a really rough period, a PTSD-type period.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., speaks during a rally in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2025, supporting detained Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi, who faces a deportation hearing after being detained during a citizenship interview. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

“He himself said there are lots of things he’s done and said that he completely regrets, and I do believe people should have second chances and that people can learn from their mistakes, and I think he’s been doing that,” Van Hollen continued.

In October, Platner told reporters that a tattoo on his chest resembling the Totenkopf, a skull-and-crossbones symbol associated with Nazi police, had been covered.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills responded to questions about her age and health during a CNN interview as she campaigns to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. (Getty Images)

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In past Reddit posts, Platner said he was a “communist,” accused rural White Americans of being racist and stupid, and said police officers were “bastards.” Platner said he was seeking “to get a rise out of people” with his Reddit posts.

Platner has received the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and shares his vision of implementing socialist policies like “Medicare-for-all” and dismantling the billionaire class.

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The traditional “breakfast of champions” might not come from a cereal box these days — with some Americans reaching instead for something warm and savory.

Instead of pouring cereal or flipping pancakes, some people are starting their days with soup.

The goal is to opt for a balanced, protein-packed meal instead of one high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, which can lead to quick energy spikes followed by crashes, according to reports about the soup trend.

3 SOUP RECIPES THAT ARE JUST LIKE SALADS, AS SHARED BY CHEFS AND AUTHORS

Chef and author Suzy Karadsheh, creator of The Mediterranean Dish, promoted the idea of soup for breakfast on TikTok earlier this year, calling this an “ancient remedy” that’s been used across cultures for centuries.

“It’s a great way to fight inflammation — especially that morning inflammation — right away, and it hydrates way better than water,” Karadsheh said in a video, adding that it can help kick-start digestion without a sugar crash.

Nutritionists say warm, savory meals may be easier to digest in the morning than cold foods. (iStock)

Karadsheh, who is originally from Egypt and is today based in Atlanta, said the concept isn’t as unusual globally as it may sound to Americans. She noted that it’s common especially in the Mediterranean and Asia, where savory breakfasts such as soups, broths and stews are the norm.

SAVORY OATMEAL BOWLS STIR UP A NEW BREAKFAST CRAZE WITH EGGS, CHEESE AND SPICE

For many people, however, the idea “breaks” traditional breakfast rules, nutritionist Kat Chan wrote in a recent Substack article titled “The Case for Breakfast Soup.”

But she still recommends it. 

Some experts say the shift toward protein-rich, whole-food breakfasts is a positive change. (iStock)

“From a nutritional therapy standpoint, warm meals are often easier to digest than cold ones, especially if you’re already feeling the chill,” Chan wrote.

SKIPPING BREAKFAST AND EATING DINNER LATE LINKED TO SURPRISING BONE HEALTH RISK

She added that a warm, savory meal can provide protein, fat and fiber that help support steady blood sugar and sustained energy.

Timing matters, she also said, noting that the body is better at using food for energy in the morning — which is why starting the day with a balanced meal like soup may help support steadier energy.

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“I say, ‘Why not?’ to soup [for breakfast],” Lisa Moskovitz, a New York-based registered dietitian and founder of the NY Nutrition Group, told Fox News Digital. 

“Depending on what’s inside, many soups can offer an array of nutrients from protein to fiber, and tons of antioxidants.”

A simple bowl of soup can offer protein, fiber and hydration to start the day. (iStock)

“Breakfast does its best work when it contains blood-sugar-balancing and energizing nutrients such as fiber and protein,” she added.

Moskovitz recommends choosing a non-dairy soup packed with vegetables, lean protein and fresh herbs. “Add-ins like chicken, turkey, tofu or eggs — think egg drop soup — all work well,” she said.

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Soup can also help with hydration, as it contains both fluids and electrolytes, which is one reason why it is helpful when people are sick.

While unusual to some Americans, soup for breakfast is a long-standing tradition in many global cuisines. (iStock)

The sodium content in soup is the biggest thing to watch out for, Moskovitz said, especially for those with a history of high blood pressure.

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Beyond health considerations, cost and convenience may also be driving interest, experts note. 

A basic bowl of soup can be inexpensive, especially when made at home in batches with vegetables, broth and a source of protein.

While the trend is growing, experts caution that sodium levels in some soups should be monitored. (iStock)

As for whether the trend is here to stay, Lacey Baier, a Texas-based creator of the blog “A Sweet Pea Chef,” said it could stick among people who are genuinely interested in how food makes them feel.

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“What I find encouraging is that the conversation is moving people away from sugary, processed breakfasts and toward something more protein-forward and whole food-based,” Baier, author of the forthcoming “Cleanish Meal Prep: High-Protein Recipes for Real Life,” told Fox News Digital.

“Even if the soup trend itself is short-lived, that direction is a good one,” she said.

Middle East Tensions: US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 1, 2026) cast doubt on the possibility of an agreement with Iran, saying that he is not happy with the proposal sent by Tehran, while talks are ongoing between the two sides.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump said that he is not sure that any agreement will be reached between America and Iran. He said, ‘We have just talked to Iran. Iran wants to compromise, let’s see what happens, but I will say that I am not happy. They have to come up with the right compromise. At this time I am not satisfied with their proposal. He further said, ‘We are doing everything in terms of communication right now, even through telephone. He has made some progress, but I don’t know if he will ever reach that point.

US President gave two options to Iran

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also gave two options regarding Iran. He said, ‘Either we attack them forcefully or reach a compromise.’ He said, ‘Options are available. Either we go and attack them forcefully and destroy them forever, or try to compromise? And I would prefer an agreement on humanitarian grounds.

.@POTUS on his briefing with the @CENTCOM Commander: “There are options. Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever or do we want to try and make a deal?… on a human basis, I’d prefer (a deal).” pic.twitter.com/Ycsm8e8txW

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 1, 2026

What did Trump say on approval from Congress and oil and gas prices?

Meanwhile a journalist donald trump Asked why are you not taking Congress’s approval to take it forward? To this Trump replied, ‘Because its approval was never taken before, but we are always in touch with Congress. No one ever asked for this before, so why should we be any different?

Furthermore, the Republican leader also reiterated that oil and gas prices will fall once the war with Iran ends. When asked if he was considering a new attack on Iran, he replied, “Why should I tell you that?”

Also read: Iran has broken the back of the American army in the Middle East! 16 military bases in 8 countries badly destroyed, report reveals