Trump: Hit Soros With RICO Charges for 'Support' of Protests

Going beyond allegations of sowing discord in America and funding Democrats, President Donald Trump is now calling for billionaire George Soros and his liberal financier network, led by his "radical left son," to face federal racketeering charges.

"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 Wednesday morning on Truth Social. "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.

"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! Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

An Open Society Foundations spokesperson, in a statement to Newsmax, rejected Trump's accusations as "outrageous and false."

"These accusations are outrageous and false," an email Thursday read. "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.

"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 comments mark his latest allegations linking Soros and progressive activists to unrest in U.S. cities.

"It's just been found that the Democrats are buying protesters in order to fight my attack on crime," Trump posted earlier this month on Truth Social. "These are criminals who support crime. They are unelectable!"

The Open Society Foundations also updated a standing statement denouncing allegations this week, declaring: "We do not pay people to protest or directly train or coordinate protestors."

Because money is fungible, any Soros-linked funding going to activist organizations cannot be used as evidence for funding activism or specific protests or protesters, The Washington Post reported in April 2024.

"The Open Society Foundations support individuals' right to engage in free speech, express political beliefs, and engage in nonviolent public protests," the foundation's online statement, updated August 2025, reads. "These are the hallmarks of any vibrant society, and these freedoms are guaranteed in the United States by the Constitution.

"The Open Society Foundations help fund an array of nonprofit civil society groups across the United States that work to advance human rights, freedom, and justice and to defend democracy. Some of these groups also undertake peaceful civic engagement, which is critical to the strength of our democracy.

"We do not pay people to protest or directly train or coordinate protestors. All Open Society grantees are required to comply with the law and we expect our grantees to uphold our shared commitment to human rights, dignity, and nonviolence. The Open Society Foundations oppose all forms of violence, including violent protests."

Trump has invoked the federal RICO statute — a law to prosecute organized crime — which extends from his long-running campaign to frame Soros' Democrat financiers network as orchestrators of sowing discord in America.

Republicans have frequently targeted Soros, a Hungarian-American billionaire, for his extensive funding of progressive causes and candidates, particularly local prosecutors who favor criminal justice reform. Soros and his family foundation have dismissed GOP attacks as conspiratorial and dangerous under the guise of antisemitism claims.

The post comes as Trump intensifies his law-and-order messaging ahead of the 2026 midterms, casting Democrats as sympathetic to unrest while portraying himself as the only leader capable of restoring order. Similar attacks on Soros have become rallying points for conservative media and Trump allies, who accuse the billionaire of funding movements like Black Lives Matter and bail funds for left-leaning demonstrators.

Soros, now 94, has largely stepped back from day-to-day operations of his Open Society Foundations, passing leadership to his son, Alex Soros. The group has vowed to continue its funding for global democracy and human rights projects despite growing scrutiny from Trump and Republican leaders.

This story was updated with the Open Society Foundations statement (10:17 a.m. ET) Thursday and again at 11:59 a.m. ET with the emailed statement.