George Soros' foundation accused of funding 'No Kings' protests against Trump

WASHINGTON, DC: Billionaire philanthropist George Soros' Open Society Foundations, known for supporting progressive causes, has been accused of funding nationwide "No Kings" protests against President Donald Trump that took place on Saturday, October 18.

Soros, a billionaire investor and notorious Democratic Party donor, is the founder of the Open Society Foundations. The foundation, through the Open Society Action Fund, issued a two-year grant of $3 million to the Indivisible organization in 2023.

Ted Cruz says there is 'considerable evidence' George Soros funded 'No Kings' protest

Senator Ted Cruz was the first to raise concerns on ties between George Soros and the "No Kings" protest during an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on October 16.

He said, "There's considerable evidence that George Soros and his network are behind funding these rallies, which may well be riots all across the country."

Interestingly, Cruz introduced the Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (STOP FUNDERs) Act in July 2025 that would allow for Justice Department to impose Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges against individuals behind the funding of "violent" and "extreme" protests. 

"This politicized march is being organized by Soros operatives and funded by Soros money. No one denies these basic facts. The Trump administration and the Republican Congress are committed to countering this network of left-wing violence," Cruz told Fox News.

As per the Indivisible website, "On October 18, millions of us are rising again to protest in an effort to paint the POTUS as a tyrant and an authoritarian king."

Moreover, a statement on the Open Society Foundations’ website clarified that the organization does not pay, train, or coordinate protesters and that it "opposes all forms of violence, including violent protests."

The Open Society Action Fund, a branch of the foundation, awarded Indivisible a two-year grant totaling $3 million, intended "to support the grantee's social welfare activities," according to the foundation's website.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Open Society Foundations told Fox News, "We support a wide range of independent organizations that work to deepen civic engagement through peaceful democratic participation, a hallmark of any vibrant society and a right protected by the Constitution. Our grantees make their own decisions about their work, consistent with the law and the terms of their grant agreements."

Senator Chuck Schumer announced on October 16 that he would be attending the protest, and said he "will join the marchers, to celebrate what makes this country so great" and encouraged peaceful demonstrations. 

Trump says his administration is probing if George Soros funded 'No Kings' protests

President Trump said his administration is probing if George Soros "and other radical left lunatics" helped to fund the "No Kings" protests on October 18.

Interestingly, Soros has heavily funded progressive causes across the world through his foundations, including in the US, and become a bête noire of the conservative right.

Trump told reporters on board Air Force One as he traveled back to Washington from Florida on Sunday, October 19, "I guess (the protest) was paid for by Soros and other radical left lunatics. It looks like it was, we're checking it out."

According to the organizers, around 7 million people attended around 2,700 protests in every state across the US on Saturday.

Moreover, international protests were also seen in several European countries, including Germany, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, the POTUS claimed that Soros may have funded the movement questions the legitimacy of the protests against him, implying that they may not be reflective of what people actually believe.