President Donald Trump said billionaire George Soros “should be in jail” during recent interviews. The 95-year-old philanthropist faces new threats from the president over his support for progressive causes.
Trump made the comments Friday on Fox & Friends. He claimed Soros should face federal racketeering charges. The president offered no evidence for his accusations against the Democratic mega-donor.
“We’re going to look into Soros, because I think it’s a RICO case against him and other people,” Trump said. He called Soros’s activities “real agitation” rather than normal protests.
The president doubled down Saturday in a phone call with NBC News. “He’s a bad guy,” Trump told reporters. He did not provide details about his claims.
Soros survived the Holocaust in Hungary before becoming a successful investor. He founded the Open Society Foundation, which funds justice and human rights causes worldwide. The organization operates in more than 120 countries.
Trump has repeatedly targeted Soros without proof. He claims the billionaire pays protesters to demonstrate against his administration. These accusations have been debunked by fact-checkers multiple times.
The Open Society Foundation rejected Trump’s latest threats. The group called the accusations “outrageous and false” in a public statement. They denied funding any violent protests or paying demonstrators.
“We stand for fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution,” the foundation said. The organization supports free speech and peaceful protest rights. They oppose all forms of violence.
The foundation issued additional clarifications last month. “We do not pay people to protest or directly train or coordinate protesters,” officials stated. All grantees must comply with legal requirements and nonviolence commitments.
Soros ranks among the biggest Democratic donors through his super PACs. Federal Election Commission records show millions in campaign contributions. His political spending has made him a frequent target of Republican criticism.
Trump previously faced similar RICO charges in Georgia. Prosecutors there accused him of leading a “criminal enterprise” to overturn 2020 election results. The irony was not lost on legal observers.
RICO laws were designed to combat organized crime syndicates. They famously helped break up Mafia operations in previous decades. Using them against political opponents represents a significant escalation.
The attacks on Soros come after the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump blamed progressive organizations for contributing to political violence. He vowed to target groups that “fund and support” such actions.
Trump appeared in an Oval Office video following Kirk’s death. He pledged to pursue “each and every one of those who contributed this atrocity.” The statement included organizations that allegedly support such violence.
The Justice Department has begun investigating Democratic figures and Trump critics. FBI agents searched former national security adviser John Bolton’s home last month. They looked for evidence of mishandling classified information.
Legal experts worry about the targeting of political opponents. Many see Trump’s threats as part of a broader pattern. The president has promised to prosecute those who oppose his policies.
Soros has faced anti-Semitic conspiracy theories for years. Many false claims link him to global plots and puppet-master narratives. These theories often echo historical anti-Jewish propaganda.
The billionaire’s age and health make the threats more concerning to advocates. At 95, Soros has dedicated his fortune to democratic causes. His son Alex now chairs the Open Society Foundation.
Trump’s comments represent an escalation in political rhetoric. Presidents traditionally avoid threatening private citizens with imprisonment. The remarks break long-standing norms about executive branch conduct.
Congressional Democrats have condemned the threats against Soros. They warn of dangerous precedents being set. Some Republicans have remained silent on Trump’s latest statements.
The targeting of Soros fits broader Republican messaging strategies. Conservative media has long portrayed him as a shadowy figure. These narratives often lack factual basis but gain political traction.
The Open Society Foundation continues its work despite the threats. Recent grants support voting rights, criminal justice reform, and refugee assistance. The organization shows no signs of backing down from its mission.
Trump’s focus on Soros may signal broader plans for political retaliation. Campaign promises included prosecuting opponents and critics. The Soros threats could be just the beginning of such efforts.
The situation highlights growing political polarization in America. False accusations and conspiracy theories have become mainstream talking points. Truth and facts struggle against partisan narratives in the current climate.
International observers watch these developments with growing concern. Democratic institutions face unprecedented pressure from authoritarian tactics. The targeting of philanthropists sends chilling messages worldwide.
