United States President Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on billionaire philanthropist George Soros, threatening criminal charges based on unsubstantiated claims that Soros and his son supported violent protests across the country.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump alleged that Soros and his son, Alex Soros, should be indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a federal law typically applied to organized crime cases.
“George Soros, and his wonderful Radical Left son, should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests, and much more, all throughout the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
“Soros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country! That includes his Crazy, West Coast friends. Be careful, we’re watching you!”
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Far-Right Conspiracies and Soros as a Frequent Target
George Soros, a 95-year-old Jewish Holocaust survivor and founder of the Open Society Foundations, has long been a central figure in far-right conspiracy theories. Critics of Soros often accuse him—without evidence—of secretly funding protests, riots, and political movements aimed at destabilizing governments.
Similar allegations have been echoed internationally, including by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of whom have accused Soros of funding politically motivated movements in their respective countries.
Trump himself has frequently invoked Soros’s name to discredit demonstrations against him. In 2018, when protesters opposed his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, Trump claimed that Soros had financed the demonstrations, calling the activists “paid professionals” with “professionally made identical signs.”
Open Society Foundations Responds
The Open Society Foundations firmly rejected Trump’s latest accusations. A spokesperson told Reuters:
“These accusations are outrageous and false. The Open Society Foundations do not support or fund violent protests. Our mission is to advance human rights, justice, and democratic principles at home and around the world.”
Alex Soros, who was appointed to lead the foundation in 2023, has also become a frequent subject of right-wing attacks, particularly after taking over leadership duties from his father.
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Rising Political Tensions
Trump’s remarks come amid a broader strategy of targeting political rivals while advancing a maximalist interpretation of presidential powers. While no legal action has been taken against George Soros or his son, Trump’s statements underscore his willingness to revive unproven claims and amplify conspiracy theories as part of his political messaging.
For Soros, who has spent decades funding civil society projects, education, and democratic governance initiatives worldwide, such accusations are part of a long history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and disinformation propagated by political opponents.
