Major Controversies Surrounding George Soros: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to George Soros.

George Soros is a highly successful American investor and philanthropist with a net worth of $6.7 billion as of October 2023. He is renowned for his significant philanthropic contributions, having donated over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundations, with $15 billion already distributed. This represents 64% of his original fortune. Soros was recognized by Forbes in 2020 as the "most generous giver" based on the percentage of his net worth donated.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1989: Investigation into Soros's transaction in Société Générale

In 1989, the Commission des Opérations de Bourse (COB) investigated Soros's transaction in Société Générale for insider trading. While initial investigations found Soros innocent, the case was reopened, leading to a conviction confirmed by the French Supreme Court on June 14, 2006.

1997: Accusations During Asian Financial Crisis

During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, accused George Soros of using his wealth to punish ASEAN for welcoming Myanmar as a member.

1997: Soros Fund Management Shorting Currencies and the Thai Financial Crisis

In 1997, Soros Fund Management, observing trade and capital account discrepancies, sold short the Thai baht and Malaysian ringgit. Later in 1997, Prime Minister Mahathir of Malaysia accused Soros of causing the financial crisis, an accusation Soros denied, stating they became buyers of the ringgit as it declined to profit from their earlier speculation.

1997: Soros Closed his foundation in Belarus

In 1997, Soros closed his foundation in Belarus after it was fined $3 million by the government for "tax and currency violations". Soros called the fines part of a campaign to "destroy independent society".

1999: Paul Krugman criticizes Soros's effect on financial markets

In 1999, economist Paul Krugman criticized Soros's influence on financial markets.

2003: Remarks on antisemitism at Jewish Funders Network conference

In 2003, George Soros suggested that the Bush and Sharon administrations were contributing to European antisemitism. His remarks were criticized by Abraham Foxman as simplistic and biased. Michael Steinhardt clarified that Soros does not believe Jews should be hated more than they deserve. Soros also suggested that Jews can overcome antisemitism by abandoning tribalism.

June 14, 2006: French Supreme Court confirms Soros's conviction for insider trading

On June 14, 2006, the French Supreme Court confirmed the conviction of Soros for insider trading related to a transaction in Société Générale. However, the penalty was reduced to €940,000.

December 2006: Soros Appealed to the European Court of Human Rights

In December 2006, George Soros appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, citing that the 14-year delay in bringing the case to trial precluded a fair hearing.

2006: Ercis Kurtulus Interview

In 2006, Ercis Kurtulus, head of the Social Transparency Movement Association (TSHD) in Turkey, said in an interview that "Soros carried out his will in Ukraine and Georgia by using these NGOs ... Last year Russia passed a special law prohibiting NGOs from taking money from foreigners. I think this should be banned in Turkey as well."

2010: Reuters's initial story Reported Indirect Financial Links Between Soros and Adbusters

In October 2011, an article was published reporting a Soros spokesman and Adbusters' co-founder Kalle Lasn both saying that Adbusters—the reputed catalyst for the first Occupy Wall Street protests—had never received any contributions from Soros, contrary to Reuters's earlier story in 2010 that reported that "indirect financial links" existed between the two.

October 2011: Reuters Published story denying Soros funding of Wall Street Protests

In October 2011, Reuters published a story "Soros: not a funder of Wall Street Protests" after pointing out errors in an earlier Reuters story headlined "Who's Behind the Wall St. Protests?" with a lead stating that the Occupy Wall Street movement "may have benefited indirectly from the largesse of one of the world's richest men [Soros]".

October 2011: European Court Rejected Soros's Appeal

In October 2011, the European Court of Human Rights rejected Soros's appeal in a 4-3 decision, stating that Soros had been aware of the risk of breaking insider trading laws.

2012: Hungarian Fidesz government labeled Soros as an enemy of the state

Since 2012, the Hungarian Fidesz government has labeled George Soros as an enemy of the state.

2015: Conspiracy theories related to the European migrant crisis

In 2015, George Soros was falsely accused of being behind the European migrant crisis, leading to conspiracy theories that united antisemitism and Islamophobia. The Hungarian government even launched a costly poster campaign demonizing him.

2015: Hungarian Government Disagreed with Soros's involvement in European migrant crisis

In 2015, the Hungarian government disagreed with Soros's involvement in the European migrant crisis.

2016: Views on Israel and funding of NGOs critical of Israeli policies

In 2016, George Soros stated that he does not want to be a part of a national existence for Jews. Hacked emails revealed that his Open Society Foundation aims to challenge Israel's policies and funds NGOs critical of Israel, including those supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

January 2017: "Stop Operation Soros" initiative launched in Macedonia

In January 2017, the "Stop Operation Soros" (SOS) initiative was launched in Macedonia. SOS seeks to present "questions and answers about the way Soros operates worldwide" and invites citizens to contribute to the research.

March 2017: US Senators Request Investigation into Grants Given to Groups Funded by Soros

In March 2017, six US senators sent a letter to then secretary of state Rex Tillerson asking that he look into several grants the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have given to groups funded by "left-wing" Soros.

July 2017: Hungarian billboard campaign vilifying Soros

In July 2017, a Hungarian billboard campaign backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vilified George Soros as an enemy of the state, using the slogan "Let's not allow Soros to have the last laugh." The campaign was considered antisemitic and drew criticism for evoking sad memories of the Holocaust.

2017: $10-million lawsuit filed by Beny Steinmetz

In 2017, Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz filed a $10-million lawsuit against George Soros, alleging that Soros influenced the government of Guinea to freeze Steinmetz's company, BSG Resources, out of iron ore mining contracts due to animus toward Israel. Soros dismissed the suit as frivolous and a PR stunt.

May 16, 2018: Open Society Foundations announced move from Budapest to Berlin

On May 16, 2018, Soros's Open Society Foundations announced they would move its office from Budapest to Berlin, blaming the move on an "increasingly repressive" environment in Hungary.

October 2018: Mail bombing attempts targeting Soros

In October 2018, George Soros was a target of the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts, when a pipe bomb was sent to his home. Similar bombs were sent to other prominent Democrats and liberals.

October 22, 2018: Pipe bomb found at Soros's home

On October 22, 2018, a pipe bomb was discovered in the mailbox at George Soros's home in Katonah, New York. The bomb, part of a series of mail bombing attempts, was safely detonated by the FBI, who launched an investigation.

October 26, 2018: Arrest of Cesar Sayoc Jr. in mail bombing case

On October 26, 2018, Cesar Sayoc Jr. was arrested in Aventura, Florida, as a suspect in the mail bombing attempts, including the one targeting George Soros.

2018: Hungarian government introduced public posters

As the 2018 election period started, the Hungarian government introduced public posters with a photo of Soros to create hostility in the general public towards him, using statements such as "Soros wants millions of migrants to live in Hungary", and "Soros wants to dismantle the border fence".

2018: Conspiracy Theories Go Mainstream

In 2018, The New York Times reported that conspiracy theories about George Soros had gone mainstream, reaching nearly every corner of the Republican Party.

April 2019: Awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Courage

In April 2019, George Soros was awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Courage. In his acceptance address, he discussed being portrayed as a super villain in Hungary and donated the prize money to the Hungarian Spectrum.

August 2019: Sentencing of Cesar Sayoc Jr. for mailing pipe bombs

In August 2019, Cesar Sayoc Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in prison for mailing 16 pipe bombs to 13 victims, including George Soros. None of the devices exploded.

December 2023: Accusations of supporting anti-Israeli organizations

In December 2023, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, accused George Soros of supporting pro-Palestinian organizations that seek the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state. Soros' son, Alexander, dismissed these accusations as right-wing attacks.