Trump urges federal racketeering charges against Jewish philanthropist Soros

US President Donald Trump says Jewish philanthropist George Soros and his son should be hit with federal racketeering charges over their support for what he says are “violent protests.”

“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,” Trump writes on his Truth Social platform.

Charges under the RICO Act are usually used to prosecute organized criminal activity, including protection schemes, illegal bookmaking and loan sharking. They can result in heavy prison sentences.

Critics say Trump has increasingly shown a willingness to use his presidential powers to go after political enemies.

Reviled by conservatives, and often the target of antisemitic conspiracies, the Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor, 95, used his wealth amassed as a financier in the 1970s and 80s to create the Open Society Foundations, which support a broad arrange of causes and NGOs worldwide, ranging from good-governance and democracy-building programs to liberal public policy initiatives.

Alexander Soros has managed his father’s philanthropic activities since 2023.

In his post, Trump claims Soros “and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country!”

“Be careful, we’re watching you,” Trump adds as a warning.

AFP contributed to this report.