George Soros waited until he was 92 to retire. The American billionaire and philanthropist is in the process of giving control of his empire to his son Alexander Soros, who notably wants to fight against the possibility of a return of Donald Trump to power, according to the wall street journal (WSJ).
Hated by ultra-conservatives, regular target of attacks with anti-Semitic hints, George Soros began to create in the 1980s a network of foundations (Open Society Foundations or OSF) which invests worldwide in favor of various causes, reforms economics and justice, minority and refugee rights and freedom of expression.
Alexander says he is “more political” than his father
So he set out to pass the reins of his organization to one of his sons, 37-year-old Alexander. In an interview at WSJ published on Sunday, the latter explains that he is “more political” than his father and that he is worried about the idea that former Republican President Donald Trump could be re-elected to the White House in 2024.
“I would love to see money not play such a big role in politics, but as long as the other side does, we’re going to have to keep doing it too,” he told the business daily.
Under his direction, the OSF should continue in the same way – support for democracies, for political figures of the American left… – but also to add other causes such as the right to abortion or gender equality. Alexander Soros was elected chairman of the foundations’ board of directors in December and now directs the political activities gathered within the “super PAC”, a structure that disburses funds to the campaigns of political candidates.
He is also the only family member to sit on the investment committee of Soros Fund Management, the firm that oversees the funds. Most of the $25 billion with which it is endowed will go to the OSF in the coming years and $125 million has been set aside for the super PAC.
“Our camp must be more patriotic and inclusive”
The young Soros said he wanted to get more involved in the United States than his father. He supports programs encouraging Latino and African-American voters to vote, and calls on elected Democrats to communicate better. “Our camp must be more patriotic and inclusive,” he said. “Just because someone votes for Trump doesn’t mean they’re lost or racist. »
First known for his talents as an investor and speculator, George Soros devoted his money to defending his ideas, from the fight against apartheid in South Africa to supporting democracy activists in dictatorships.