Trump says Soros should be charged over 'violent protests'

Erik Larson, Bloomberg News on Aug 27, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

President Donald Trump said that philanthropist George Soros and his son should be charged with racketeering for allegedly supporting violent protests “and much more,” without citing any evidence.

Trump made the remark Wednesday in a social-media post that did not elaborate on whether Soros is being investigated, or specify which protests or which son he was referring to.

Alex Soros, one of the billionaire’s sons, chairs the board of directors of the Open Society Foundations, which was founded by George Soros and is one of the world’s biggest and most influential philanthropies. Alex Soros has been a vocal supporter of some Democrats and a target of right-wing critics.

Trump’s post included a warning for the 95-year-old Soros, who supports left-leaning causes: “Be careful, we’re watching you!”

The Open Society Foundations issued a statement calling the accusations “outrageous and false” and denying any support or funding of violent protests.

“Our mission is to advance human rights, justice, and democratic principles at home and around the world,” the group said. “We stand for fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, including the rights to free speech and peaceful protest that are hallmarks of any vibrant democracy.”

Trump’s post comes as the White House is stepping up a campaign of retribution against some of the president’s fiercest critics, leading to claims that the president is improperly weaponizing law enforcement. Earlier this month, FBI agents searched the home of John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, while a top housing officials accused Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud, promoting Trump to attempt to fire her. Cook has said she’ll sue to protect her job.

“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 said in his post. “We’re 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.”

Trump has had problems of his own with violent protests, including the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters assaulted the building in a failed effort to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden as president. Trump was hit with a sprawling criminal case over his effort to overturn the 2020 election, though the charges were dropped after he won the 2024 election.

The U.S. Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s post.

Several other Trump critics have been the target of recent government activity.

The administration has also made mortgage fraud claims against two other high-profile critics of the president, California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both have denied wrongdoing.

____

(With assistance from Chris Strohm.)