President Donald Trump intensified accusations against the political left and singled out billionaire donor George Soros in the aftermath of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying Soros should be jailed and suggesting charges under federal racketeering law.
Trump made the remarks in interviews with Fox & Friends and NBC News and in posts on his social platform, urging prosecutors to pursue RICO — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — against Soros and others he described as responsible for fomenting political violence. "He should be put in jail. He's a bad guy," Trump told NBC, and in a Truth Social post last month he said Soros and his allies "should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests, and much more."
The remarks came days after 22-year-old Tyler Robinson allegedly opened fire during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, killing 31-year-old Kirk. Authorities have charged Robinson with multiple felonies, including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice; prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek the death penalty. Officials have said investigators are treating the attack as politically motivated and are reviewing digital evidence, including online posts, gaming chat logs and Discord messages.
Investigators reported that bullet casings recovered at the scene were etched with references to obscure far-right memes, video-game imagery and online slang. Public records show Robinson had no prior criminal history and that his last voter registration, in July 2021, listed no party affiliation. Relatives told police that Robinson voiced strong criticism of Kirk at a family dinner shortly before the event, according to investigators.
The Open Society Foundations, founded by Soros and now chaired by his son Alex Soros, issued a firm denial of any role in violence and called the allegations outrageous. "The Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros and chaired by Alex Soros, do not support or fund violent protests. Allegations to the contrary are false, and the threats against our founder and chair are outrageous," the organization said. It added that its mission is to advance human rights, justice and democratic principles and that it supports fundamental freedoms, including free speech and peaceful protest.
The killing of Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and ally of Trump, prompted a wave of reactions across the political spectrum. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, urged restraint and unity, saying, "Now is not the time for more finger-pointing. We need to ask ourselves what kind of political culture we are fostering and whether we're doing enough to prevent tragedy." Tributes to Kirk poured in from right-leaning lawmakers and activists, and the episode intensified debate about incendiary rhetoric and the potential for online radicalization to spill into violence.
In a recorded Oval Office statement, Trump said he would hold the shooter accountable and also promised to pursue "each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity… including the organizations that fund and support it." The president has repeatedly portrayed his 2024 campaign as a fight against what he describes as liberal elites and shadowy donors, themes that framed his calls for legal action against Soros.
Investigators have said they have found no evidence linking Robinson to the Open Society Foundations or to funding from Soros. The probe into Robinson's motives and online activity is ongoing, and officials cautioned against premature conclusions while evidence is being reviewed and charges proceed through the legal system.