The October 12 This Week clash over whether border czar Tom Homan accepted $50,000 from undercover FBI agents has revived questions about transparency inside the Trump–Vance administration … and what Congress and the DOJ will do next.
WASHINGTON – During an October 12 appearance on This Week, host George Stephanopoulos sharply pressed Vice President J.D. Vance over allegations that Tom Homan, the White House’s “border czar,” accepted a $50,000 cash payment from undercover FBI agents, and abruptly cut the interview short when Vance declined to provide a direct answer.
The On-Air Exchange
Stephanopoulos confronted Vance:
“The White House border czar Tom Homan was recorded on an FBI surveillance tape in September 2024 accepting **$50,000 in cash. Did he keep that money or give it back?”
Vance responded:
“Tom Homan did **not take a bribe. It’s a ridiculous smear.”
And when pressed again:
“Are you saying that he did not accept the fifty thousand dollars?” Stephanopoulos asked. Vance replied: “I’m sure … in the course of Tom Homan’s life he’s been paid more than fifty thousand dollars for services. The question is, did he do something illegal? And there is absolutely no evidence that Tom Homan has ever taken a bribe.”
Frustrated by Vance’s refusal to directly answer whether the payment was accepted, Stephanopoulos ended the segment: “You did not answer the question. Thank you for your time this morning.”
The Allegation & Investigation
What’s reported:
- Media outlets including Reuters reported that in September 2024 Homan was recorded accepting a bag of cash, reportedly $50,000, from FBI agents posing as business executives seeking government contracts. Reuters+2The Washington Post+2
- The alleged meeting took place while Homan was not yet in office, but was under consideration for a senior role in a second term of Donald Trump. The Independent+1
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI later closed the probe. According to a joint statement by FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the review “found no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing.” Reuters+1
Reactions and oversight demands:
- In a press release dated Sept. 23, 2025, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee demanded the release of recordings and documents tied to the Homan matter, calling for transparency and oversight. U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democrats+1
- Senator Adam Schiff issued a statement on Sept. 20, 2025, saying that closing the investigation despite “clear evidence of a conspiracy to commit bribery captured on camera” demonstrates a “culture of corruption.” Senator Schiff
Official Statements
- The White House, via Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Sept. 22 said the president and the administration stand by Homan “100%” and asserted that “he did absolutely nothing wrong.” AP News+1
- Homan himself told a local station on Sept. 21: “There’s nothing to it,” when asked about the $50,000 claim. https://www.wwnytv.com
What To Know Now
- Accepted? Media sources claim a recording shows Homan accepted a $50,000 cash bag. The New Yorker+1
- Charged? No criminal charges were announced; DOJ says investigation found no credible evidence of wrongdoing. Reuters+1
- Interview impact: The climate of the Sunday interview illustrates heightened scrutiny of the administration’s handling of vetting, oversight and press accountability.
Bottom Line
While reports indicate that an undercover sting captured Tom Homan accepting $50,000 in cash, the investigation was closed without charges and key recordings are being sought by lawmakers. The Sunday exchange between George Stephanopoulos and J.D. Vance underscored how the issue has become a flashpoint for questions of transparency, press-state relations and possible political influence in law enforcement.
