On September 20, 2025, MSNBC published an investigative report by journalists Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian detailing an undercover FBI operation from 2024 that recorded Tom Homan, now serving as the White House “border czar” under President Donald Trump, accepting $50,000 in cash. The report alleges this was in exchange for Homan’s indication that he could help secure government contracts for border security if Trump won the 2024 election(which he did).
The story has sparked widespread discussion, with critics accusing the Trump administration of burying the probe for political reasons. At the same time, defenders dismiss it as a “deep state” smear from the Biden era.
Key Details from the Investigation
- Background: The probe began in summer 2024 in the Western District of Texas after a tip from a separate FBI investigation. The informant claimed Homan, then a private consultant for border security firms, was soliciting payments to influence contract awards in a potential second Trump term.
- The Sting Operation: Undercover FBI agents, posing as business executives, met Homan and a business associate multiple times. On September 20, 2024 (exactly one year before the report’s publication), hidden cameras captured Homan accepting a bag containing $50,000 in cash during a meeting in Texas. According to internal Justice Department documents and sources familiar with the case, Homan indicated he could facilitate contracts once in office.
- Potential Charges: FBI and DOJ officials initially viewed the evidence as strong for charges like conspiracy to commit bribery, wire fraud, or honest services fraud. However, legal experts noted a challenge: Federal bribery statutes typically require the recipient to already hold public office, which Homan did not at the time (he was a private citizen). Prosecutors planned to monitor if Homan followed through post-inauguration.
- Homan’s Context: At the time, Homan ran a consulting firm helping border security companies win government deals. He had previously lobbied for firms like Fisher Industries, earning $100,000–$150,000 for work that led to a $225 million Texas border wall contract. He also consulted for Geo Group (a private prison operator profiting from deportations), earning over $5,000 in the two years before joining the administration.
What Happened to the Probe?
- Stall and Shutdown: The investigation stalled after Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. In early 2025, a Trump-appointed DOJ official labeled it a “deep state” effort. FBI Director Kash Patel requested a status update in recent weeks, leading to its official closure.
- Official Response: Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the case underwent a “full review” and found “no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing.” They attributed it to politically motivated actions by the prior (Biden) administration. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called it a “blatantly political” waste of resources, emphasizing Homan’s non-involvement in contract decisions and his ethical recusal pledges.
Red Flags
- The story broke on MSNBC’s hyper-partisan website and was amplified across media, with quick pickups by outlets like The New York Times, HuffPost, Politico, and Raw Story. Of course, MSNBC’s sourcing included leaked internal DOJ summaries and multiple anonymous officials, creating suspicion that this might be another opportunity to damage President Trump and his administration.
- One of the journalists involved in the reporting was Ken Dilanian, which, in and of itself, raises questions of credibility and motivations beyond journalistic reporting.
“Fusion Ken:”: The Deep State’s Stenographer?
Ken Dilanian, nicknamed “Fusion Ken” for his role in promoting the Russia collusion hoax, is NBC News and MSNBC’s go-to national security correspondent. While presenting himself as an investigative journalist, Dilanian has repeatedly blurred the line between reporting and serving as a mouthpiece for the intelligence community. His cozy relationships with agencies like the CIA raise serious questions about his objectivity and journalistic integrity.
Too Close to the CIA
Documents revealed by The Intercept show that Dilanian routinely submitted drafts of his articles to CIA officials for review before publishing. Emails suggested a “closely collaborative relationship,” with Dilanian promising favorable coverage in exchange for access. In some cases, intelligence officials influenced story content. Critics argue this transforms him from journalist to stenographer for the Deep State, reporting leaks and talking points rather than independent news.
“Fusion Ken” and the Russia Collusion Hoax
Dilanian earned his nickname for amplifying the Russia collusion narrative. He reported partisan leaks and intelligence claims with minimal skepticism, fueling a false narrative that gripped Washington for years. To conservatives, this is a clear example of journalists prioritizing access to powerful insiders over truth, helping push politically motivated stories under the guise of investigative reporting.
MSNBC: A Partisan Megaphone
Dilanian’s platform, MSNBC, has long been criticized as a liberal propaganda outlet and a de facto voice for the Democratic National Committee. Its programming consistently promotes progressive policies and attacks conservative leaders, presenting opinion as news. For viewers seeking independent reporting, MSNBC offers little; for Democrats, it serves as a reliable amplifier of the party line.
The Renaming of MSNBC: Same Bias, New Name
MSNBC’s recent rebrand as “MS NOW” didn’t change its political slant. Dropping the NBC peacock and joining the new parent company Versant may signal a “fresh start,” but the network continues to feature uber-liberal hosts like Rachel Maddow and Ari Melber. The rebrand appears to be cosmetic—a marketing move designed to modernize the brand while maintaining its overtly partisan identity.
Bottom Line: A Cautionary Tale for Media Consumers
As of September 20, 2025, no further developments have emerged, but it could fuel congressional scrutiny led by the old standby progressive communist democrats and liar-leakers like Senator Adam Schiff.
Ken Dilanian, “Fusion Ken,” embodies a troubling trend in modern journalism: reporters so intertwined with intelligence sources and political narratives that independent reporting suffers. Combined with MSNBC’s open liberal bias, this creates an environment where leaks, spin, and Deep State talking points dominate coverage. For conservatives and anyone seeking factual, unbiased reporting, his work is a reminder to approach mainstream media claims with skepticism.
Look for further attacks on Homan as his vocal, confrontational style as the White House Border Czar is abhorred by the globalists, anti-Trump establishment republicans, open borders advocates, and the progressive communist democrats and their media propagandists.
We are so screwed.
— Steve
