Donald Trump says fellow billionaire George Soros should be charged with racketeering

Key topics:Trump calls for RICO charges against George Soros and his son.Open Society Foundations deny claims of supporting violent protests.Trump escalates attacks on critics amid broader law enforcement scrutiny..Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Erik Larson.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 weaponising 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..Read more:.George Soros backs Kamala Harris, but other Democrat donors want a contest.“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 US 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 US 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..© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.

Donald Trump says fellow billionaire George Soros should be charged with racketeering

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