President Donald Trump raised eyebrows in Washington after hinting that billionaire investor George Soros, 95, may soon face scrutiny. Speaking at the White House, Trump argued that Soros’s name “comes up in every story,” making him “a likely candidate” for an inquiry. The remarks extend a series of accusations Trump has leveled against Soros and his son Alex, who currently chairs the Open Society Foundations.
Trump’s accusations
The president has previously claimed Soros and his son support violent protests and should face prosecution under federal racketeering laws. Trump’s allies have cited reports from conservative think tanks alleging that Soros-backed organizations funded extremist groups—charges Soros’s foundation flatly denies.
Open Society’s response
The Open Society Foundations, which operates in more than 100 countries, called the accusations politically motivated. In a statement, the group stressed: “We unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund it. Our activities are lawful and rooted in human rights principles.” Since its founding, the foundation has spent over $24 billion on projects ranging from education and healthcare to climate initiatives and democracy-building.
Soros’s legacy
Born in Hungary in 1930, Soros survived Nazi occupation, studied in London, and built one of the most successful hedge funds in U.S. history. He became globally known in 1992 after profiting $1 billion from currency speculation against the British pound. With an estimated net worth of $7.5 billion today, Soros has donated more than $32 billion to his philanthropic network.
Reactions and controversy
Trump’s remarks have amplified existing criticism from right-wing figures, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and tech mogul Elon Musk, who portray Soros as a destabilizing “globalist.” Critics argue that such rhetoric fuels antisemitic conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, supporters describe Soros as a champion of democracy and open societies, noting that his first major grants provided scholarships to Black South Africans under apartheid.
