• Former President Donald Trump has publicly called for George Soros and his son to face federal RICO charges, alleging their support for nationwide protests.
  • The Open Society Foundations, chaired by Alex Soros, strongly denies the accusations, stating they do not fund or support violent demonstrations.
  • Legal experts view the threat as largely political rhetoric, citing the high constitutional hurdles and lack of evidence for a formal RICO case.

Former President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against political opponents by publicly suggesting that philanthropist George Soros and his son, Alex, should be investigated under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The allegations center on the Soros family's funding of organizations that have supported nationwide protests against Trump's policies and administration.

The Open Society Foundations, now chaired by Alex Soros, issued a swift and forceful denial. "We do not fund or support violent protests," a foundation spokesperson said in a statement, emphasizing the organization's long-standing commitment to nonviolence, human rights, and democratic principles. The foundation pointed to its grants, which in 2023 included $4 million to groups like Community Change and Community Change Action that organize around issues of poverty but claim to support only peaceful activities.

This development fits into a broader and increasingly contentious trend where laws historically used to combat organized crime are being applied to political protest movements. In Georgia, for instance, prosecutors recently used the state's RICO statute to indict activists involved in protests against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, sweeping both violent and nonviolent actions into a single broad indictment. Legal experts suggest that applying federal RICO in a similar manner to a philanthropic organization for its grant-making would face immense constitutional challenges related to freedom of speech and association.

There is no indication from the Justice Department or evidence of a formal inquiry being opened. People familiar with the matter describe Trump's comments as political posturing rather than a precursor to imminent legal action. Attempts to reach a representative for comment from Trump's campaign were not immediately returned.

The accusations have intensified partisan divides, reflecting the heightened politicization of nonprofit funding in the U.S. The Soros family and their philanthropies have been central figures in right-wing conspiracy theories for years due to their support for progressive causes. This latest salvo is seen by analysts as part of a wider strategy to rally his base by targeting a familiar bogeyman, though the practical legal and market implications for the well-funded foundation remain limited in the near term.