Investigation Against George Soros by Donald Trump: Political Rhetoric, Legal Boundaries, and Possible Consequences

Victor BED
Research Institute of Strategic and Political-Legal Studies
Carpathian University named after Augustin Voloshyn

Uzhhorod,
September 13, 2025

Abstract

The article analyzes U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements of August 27 and September 12, 2025, about his intention to initiate an investigation into the activities of billionaire George Soros and his son Alex under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 1970 — Law on Combating Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations), aimed against organized criminal groups. The study examines the political context, legal barriers, public reactions, and international implications. Particular attention is paid to the absence of confirmation from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the initiation of any official proceedings. The article evaluates whether Trump’s initiative should be considered a genuine criminal process or primarily a component of the political strategy of the incumbent president in the run-up to the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 2026.

Keywords: USA, Donald Trump, George Soros, RICO, politics, justice, elections, conspiracy theories, international implications.

Context and Substance of the Statement

On August 27, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social, and on September 12, 2025, in a live broadcast on Fox News, stated that his administration “will investigate George Soros’ activities” and that “there are grounds for a RICO case against him and others” [1]. In his remarks, he accused Soros and his son Alex of funding “violent protests,” radicalizing youth, and attempting to destabilize the country [2].

At the same time, as of September 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice had not confirmed the initiation of any official investigation [3]. Thus, this should primarily be regarded as a political statement, not as a fact of criminal proceedings.

Legal Boundaries of Applying RICO

The RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 1970 — Law on Combating Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations) is directed against organized criminal groups. Its application requires proving a “pattern of racketeering activity” and involvement in an “enterprise” systematically committing crimes [4].

Grant activities, funding of human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or participation in peaceful protests do not meet the criteria of the RICO Act if there are no specific crimes provided by law. Legal experts and analysts note that without substantial evidence, an attempt to apply RICO against Soros is unlikely [5].

Trump’s Political Motives

The political process in the United States after the 2024 presidential election is entering a new phase — preparation for the midterm congressional elections to be held in November 2026. For Donald Trump, who is now serving his second term as president, the figure of George Soros has long served as a convenient symbol of an “enemy” on the American political front [6].

• His rhetoric is aimed at consolidating voters around several directions:
  Criticism of globalization and the influence of international elites, presented as a threat to U.S. sovereignty;
• Opposition to the expansion of minority rights, multicultural policies, migration openness, and social inclusion programs, which are portrayed as a challenge to “traditional American values”;
• Appeals to restore order — accusations of funding protests and radicalizing society through structures associated with Soros.

At the same time, it should be emphasized that most of these issues — human rights, equal opportunities, tolerance — are fundamental principles of the modern democratic system, upheld not only by liberal but also by conservative democratic forces. In Trump’s rhetoric, however, they appear more as political symbols of opponents than as real threats, and are used to create the image of an enemy. This approach indicates the predominance of populism, manipulation of information, and exploitation of social fears over reasoned legal or value-based debate.

Thus, the main purpose of the U.S. president’s statement is political, not legal: it is a way to mobilize and strengthen his positions ahead of future elections, not a confirmed fact of criminal proceedings.

Reactions, Criticism, and Risks

Soros’ position and the OSF. The Open Society Foundations deny allegations of funding “violent protests” [7].

Fact-checkers. Reuters, AP, and PolitiFact have repeatedly debunked claims that Soros “pays protesters,” calling them baseless [8].

Risks:
1. Politicization of justice — risk of undermining trust in the institutions of justice and the U.S. law enforcement system.
2. Radicalization of society — fueling conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic narratives [9].
3. International consequences — damaging the reputation of the U.S. as a state governed by the rule of law.

Consequences and Forecasts

1. Rhetoric scenario: the matter will remain at the level of statements. In this case, Trump achieves political effect without legal consequences.
   2. Internal review scenario: possible inquiries to law enforcement agencies, but without evidence they will not have judicial continuation.
   3. Escalation scenario: an attempt at an official investigation will face serious legal difficulties and may provoke both domestic and international criticism.

Conclusions

1. As of mid-September 2025, there is no confirmation of a RICO case being opened against George or Alex Soros. There are only political statements by the U.S. president.
   2. The legal prospects of such a case appear bleak due to the high evidentiary threshold and constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and protest.
   3. The goal of Trump and his entourage is primarily political mobilization of the electorate, the creation of an “enemy” image, and the distraction of attention from both domestic and external problems.
   4. Further developments will depend on the actions of the U.S. Department of Justice. Conclusions remain open for clarification depending on future events.

Sources

1. Fox News. Trump says Soros could face RICO case (12.09.2025).
   URL: https://www.foxnews.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).
2. The National Desk. Trump: Soros and son Alex financed violent protests (12.09.2025). URL: https://thenationaldesk.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).
3. Reuters. No DOJ confirmation on Trump’s Soros RICO claims (13.09.2025).
   URL: https://www.reuters.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).
4. U.S. Code. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968).
5. Bloomberg. Legal experts doubt RICO against Soros (12.09.2025).
   URL: https://www.bloomberg.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).
6. Washington Post. Trump escalates attacks on Soros in election rhetoric (27.08.2025). URL: https://www.washingtonpost.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).
7. Open Society Foundations. The Open Society Foundations and Protest in the United States — Open Society does not pay people to protest or directly train or coordinate protestors. (press release) 26 August 2025.
   URL: https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/newsroom/the-open-society-foundations-and-protest-in-the-united-states (accessed: 13.09.2025).
8. PolitiFact. Fact-check: No, Soros didn’t pay protesters (2020–2024).
   URL: https://www.politifact.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).
9. The Guardian. Soros conspiracy theories fuel antisemitism (2023).
   URL: https://www.theguardian.com (accessed: 13.09.2025).