Trump Calls for RICO Charges Against George Soros and Son, Escalating Long-Running Feud
WASHINGTON, D.C. ā Former President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on billionaire philanthropist George Soros, calling on federal authorities to file racketeering charges against the 94-year-old financier and his son, Alex Soros. Trump accused the Soros family and their associated foundations of funding unrest and violent protests across the United States, escalating a years-long tension that has become a flashpoint in American political discourse.
Trumpās Latest Accusations
In a statement delivered to supporters and posted online, Trump described Soros and his network as ālunaticsā and āpsychopathsā whom he blamed for what he called āgreat damageā to the country.
āWeāre not going to allow these lunatics to rip apart America any more, never giving it so much as a chance to breathe and be free,ā Trump declared. āSoros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our country! That includes his crazy West Coast friends. Be careful, weāre watching you!ā
The former president urged authorities to pursue charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a sweeping federal law typically reserved for prosecuting organized crime groups, such as the Mafia or major drug cartels.
Trumpās remarks come as he leans heavily into law-and-order messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, reinforcing his reputation among supporters as a defender of āsafe streetsā and a critic of progressive social movements.
Open Society Foundations Rejects Charges
The Open Society Foundations, the philanthropic network founded by George Soros in 1993, issued a strong rebuttal to Trumpās claims.
āWe do not pay people to protest or directly train or coordinate protestors,ā the organization stated. āThe Open Society Foundations support individualsā right to engage in free speech, express political beliefs, and engage in nonviolent public protests. These are the hallmarks of any vibrant society, and these freedoms are guaranteed in the United States by the Constitution.ā
OSF representatives emphasized that the foundationās mission is centered on global support for human rights, democracy initiatives, and justice reform, not orchestrating unrest in the United States or elsewhere.
Historical Context of Soros Criticism
Trumpās call for RICO charges is the most aggressive legal language he has used against Soros yet. However, tensions between conservative political figures and the Soros family long predate Trumpās presidency.
- George Soros, originally from Hungary, built his fortune as a hedge fund manager and later devoted tens of billions of dollars to philanthropy.
- His funding of progressive causesāincluding criminal justice reform, immigration advocacy, climate initiatives, and support for left-leaning prosecutorsāhas made him a frequent target of Republican criticism.
- During his presidency, Trump frequently alleged, without evidence, that Soros was financially backing demonstrations against his administration, particularly in 2017ā2020.
This rhetoric links back to larger political patterns: since the early 2000s, Soros has been portrayed in conservative campaigns as a symbol of elite influence on popular movements, often accused of manipulating public dissent through his financial networks.
The RICO Act and Its Relevance
The RICO Act, passed in 1970, was designed as a legal weapon against organized crime networks. Its provisions allow prosecutors to charge individuals or entities engaged in corrupt enterprises that use a pattern of racketeering activity to operate.
- Historically, RICO has been applied against Mafia crime families in New York, major gangs such as the Hells Angels, and large-scale corporate corruption scandals.
- More recently, it has been used in political corruption cases and against groups suspected of fraud or coordinated harm.
Legal experts caution, however, that extending RICO statutes to nonprofit or philanthropic foundations would raise significant constitutional challenges. Courts have previously established strong precedents protecting charitable giving and free association rights under the First Amendment.
Alex Soros and the Next Generation of Leadership
George Soros, now 94, has largely stepped back from day-to-day leadership of the Open Society Foundations. Responsibility has shifted to his 39-year-old son, Alex Soros, who holds the role of chairman of the foundationās board and oversees its global initiatives.
Alex has sought to continue the familyās legacy of funding democracy-building projects, supporting independent journalism, and challenging authoritarian trends worldwide. In recent years, he has become more visible in meetings with international leaders and in U.S. politics, where critics argue he exerts a growing influence on progressive movements.
Trumpās recent rhetoric clearly targets this generational handoff, suggesting that Alex Soros will continue to serve as a symbol of what conservatives portray as unwanted influence on domestic political issues.
Broader Political and Economic Impact
The renewed attacks on Soros highlight the continued polarization around philanthropy and political funding in the United States. While Trumpās statements are aimed at rallying his base, they also reflect deeper anxieties about:
- Prosecutorial Elections: Soros-backed political action committees have invested heavily in local district attorney races, campaigns that have reshaped certain citiesā approaches to crime, bail, and incarceration.
- Public Safety Debates: Critics argue that these reforms have led to increased lawlessness, particularly in major metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. Supporters counter that such reforms reduce mass incarceration and aim to correct longstanding racial inequities.
- Election Cycles: With Trump focused on 2026 and the possibility of another presidential campaign, ideological battles over crime and justice funding are set to intensify.
Economically, Sorosās philanthropic network invests billions annually in the United States and abroad, often channeling funds toward education access, civil society programs, and global health projects. The allegation that these activities constitute a criminal enterprise under RICO could have a chilling effect on similar philanthropic models, should such claims ever gain traction in legal arenas.
Comparisons from Around the World
The tension between philanthropists and political leaders is not unique to the United States. Other regions have experienced similar debates:
- Eastern Europe: Soros-founded universities and democracy initiatives in Hungary and other post-Soviet states have often been viewed with suspicion by nationalist governments. Hungary in particular passed laws restricting foreign-backed NGOs, directly criticizing Soros by name.
- Latin America: Wealthy families funding opposition journalism, human rights campaigns, or reform movements have also faced accusations of foreign interference.
- Asia: In countries like India and Myanmar, large philanthropic networks with global ties have been investigated under laws designed to curb outside influence on domestic politics.
The U.S. situation, therefore, reflects a broader global pattern where wealthy donors can be praised as defenders of democratic ideals by some, and condemned as destabilizing forces by others.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
Trumpās comments immediately sparked heated responses online, with social media debates intensifying between those staunchly supportive of the former presidentās tough stance and those dismissing the claims as unfounded conspiracy theories.
Prominent conservative voices rallied behind Trump, arguing that scrutiny of Soros is overdue. Progressive commentators, in contrast, warned of the dangers of demonizing private philanthropy and noted that there has never been proof that the Soros family funded violent unrest.
While there has been no response yet from federal authorities about Trumpās call for RICO charges, legal analysts stress that such action would face steep hurdles and is unlikely to proceed given existing judicial interpretations of charitable activity.
Conclusion
The clash between Donald Trump and George Soros underscores not only an enduring personal and political feud but also broader divisions in American society over the influence of money in politics, the role of philanthropy, and approaches to public safety.
Trumpās call for federal RICO charges against Soros and his son Alex sharpens a debate that is likely to dominate public discussion in the run-up to the 2026 midterms and beyond. Whether or not legal action ever materializes, the episode highlights the enduring role of Soros as a symbolic battleground in American political cultureāa figure alternately cast as a champion of human rights or as a hidden hand behind unrest.
As the United States continues to grapple with rising distrust in institutions, shifting attitudes toward law enforcement, and the massive influence of private wealth in public life, this latest chapter between Trump and Soros signals that the tension is far from over.