President Donald Trump lit up Truth Social Wednesday, calling for George Soros and his son, Alex, to be prosecuted under the RICO Act.
Trump accused the progressive father-son duo of supporting — if not orchestrating — violent protests across the country. He branded them “psychopaths” and delivered a stark warning: “Be careful, we’re watching you!”
“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,” the president wrote. “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!”
The Soros-funded Open Society Foundations (OSF) vehemently denied the allegations, insisting it supports human rights and democracy, not violence.
Still, Trump’s post drew praise from high-profile conservatives like Elon Musk and podcaster Benny Johnson, who say it’s long past time Soros faced accountability.
Newsweek has more on the president’s ominous statement — and the fallout:
Soros has often faced attacks from conservatives for his history of donating to liberal candidates and causes. He contributed $2 million to Susan Crawford’s campaign for Wisconsin Supreme Court, an election held earlier this year that garnered national attention for its large donations and out-of-state influences.
Billionaire Elon Musk, who supported Crawford’s opponent Brad Schimel, shared an image of the Grim Reaper looking for Soros in a claw machine last month.
Similar allegations were raised by other Republican politicians, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who said on X in 2023 that “cities are being hollowed out because of George Soros funding these radical left-wing district attorneys,” and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who called Bragg a “George Soros puppet” on X the same year.
Protest Funding Isn’t New
Soros has spent millions backing progressive groups — especially those that protest law enforcement and conservative policies.
For example, OSF funneled more than $20 million to groups protesting Trump’s push for a crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C. That includes Free DC, a project backed by Community Change and Community Change Action — both OSF grantees.
But is any of this criminal?
That’s where the RICO Act comes in — and where things get complicated.
What Is RICO, Exactly?
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), passed in 1970, was designed to dismantle organized crime syndicates like the Mafia.
Over time, it’s been used to take down everything from drug cartels to white-collar fraud rings.
Here’s how it works:
- Enterprise Requirement: Prosecutors must prove an “enterprise” — a structured group involved in illegal acts.
- Pattern of Racketeering: There must be at least two qualifying crimes within 10 years.
- Predicate Acts: Crimes must fall under specific categories like fraud, extortion, bribery, or arson.
- Civil RICO: Private citizens can also sue if they’ve been harmed by racketeering.
Common Uses of RICO
- Mob and gang prosecutions
- Drug trafficking networks
- Corporate and securities fraud
- Bribery and political corruption
Could RICO Apply to Soros?
In theory, anyone can be charged under RICO. In practice, applying it to Soros for protest funding faces major legal hurdles and would require concrete evidence to succeed.
1. Free Speech Is Protected
Funding protest groups — even ones that criticize the government — is political speech. The First Amendment shields this activity unless prosecutors can show the money directly funded criminal acts.
2. No Predicate Crimes
To charge someone under RICO, prosecutors must tie them to crimes like arson, extortion, or money laundering. There’s no public evidence Soros’s donations meet that threshold.
3. No Criminal Enterprise
OSF is a registered nonprofit whose grants are publicly disclosed. Proving it to be a front for organized crime would require hard evidence of criminal intent — evidence that has yet to surface.
4. History Doesn’t Favor the Case — So Far
Past RICO claims against protest movements have failed. In National Organization for Women v. Scheidler, the Supreme Court threw out RICO charges against pro-life activists because they didn’t steal property or commit qualifying crimes.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s frustration with Soros is widely shared on the right. But frustration doesn’t make a case.
Unless prosecutors can show Soros is bankrolling criminal conspiracies — not just protests — the law won’t stick.
READ NEXT: Trump Moves To Take Control of Key Point In Washington
