Latest news with #Soros
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Elon Musk Shares Meme Hoping for Death of George Soros
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk posted a meme that joked about the death of billionaire George Soros, a 94-year-old Democratic donor, following several celebrity deaths. The tech CEO shared an image of the Grim Reaper looking for Soros in a claw-grabber game on Sunday, days after the deaths of Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne. Newsweek contacted Musk for comment through the Tesla press office and the Soros Economic Development Fund via email. Why It Matters Musk has long criticized Soros. Earlier this year, he compared Soros to the Star Wars villain Darth Sidious. In 2023, Musk said Soros "hated humanity," and that "he wants to erode the very fabric of civilization." Soros regularly draws ire from conservative commentators for his prolific support of Democratic politicians and progressive causes. What To Know On Sunday, Musk shared an image of the Grim Reaper at a claw-grabbing game with the caption: "Oh no no no … first Ozzy now the Hulk? Is George Soros even in this damn thing?" The meme recharacterizes a long-standing joke in left-wing circles about Henry Kissinger that would reemerge each time a prominent celebrity died. The meme fell out of use in 2023 when Kissinger died. In right-wing circles, the meme has reemerged with Soros at the center. Comparisons between Soros and Musk have increased as Musk has stepped up his political activism and support of Republicans over the past two years. Both billionaires use their wealth to back political causes they believe in and have become symbols of ire to campaigners on the opposite side of the aisle. Elon Musk, left, in the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 30 and George Soros in Berlin on June 8, 2017. Elon Musk, left, in the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 30 and George Soros in Berlin on June 8, 2017. Getty Images In December, following Musk's involvement in Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign, Musk addressed suggestions that he was a Soros-like figure in conservative politics. "I guess someone's got to be the George Soros on the right," Musk said. "I mean, I'd call myself George Soros of the center, I think." He continued: "We obviously need to have just the basics. As President Trump rightly said, what we need is the restoration of common sense. "We want safe cities, we want secure borders, sensible spending, freedom of speech, respect for the Constitution. If that's George Soros of the right, that's me." On July 22, Osbourne, the Black Sabbath front man, died at the age of 76. On July 24, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan died at 71. What People Are Saying Elon Musk wrote on X on January 7: "Soros really was a genius at arbitrage, whether finance or politics. He also figured out how to take a small amount of private funding and leverage that into massive government funding. Brilliant. I just wish he loved, rather than hated, humanity." What Happens Next Musk, who left his role as head of the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency in May and has since had a public falling out with Trump, has announced plans to create a new "America Party" after Republicans passed the debt-increasing One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this month.
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Trump and George Soros have this character trait in common, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says
President Trump and left-wing billionaire financier George Soros have more in common than previous thought, according to someone who has worked for both men. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told an exclusive audience of billionaires at the annual Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, this week that both men share a common personality trait: impatience when navigating high-stakes negotiations. People in the room told Bloomberg News on condition of anonymity due to the closed-door nature of the event that Bessent made the comparison after being asked by the moderator to reflect on his time working for both Soros and Trump. 4 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked to reflect about his time working for left-wing billionaire financier George Soros. REUTERS The conference, often referred to as the 'summer camp for billionaires,' is off-limits to journalists and the public. Bessent told the crowd that Trump and Soros are alike in their temperament, demands and impatience, particularly when implementing decisions after identifying problems and solutions. The secretary, who began his association with Soros in 1991 when he joined Soros Fund Management shortly after graduating from Yale University, noted that he often advises the president to be patient as they navigate the rollout of trade announcements. Despite Trump's impatience, Bessent credited the president with a sharp instinct for identifying problems and devising effective responses. He also downplayed concerns that the administration's aggressive tariff policy was contributing to inflation and predicted two interest rate cuts by the end of the year. Bessent told the group that long-term borrowing costs would likely return to pre-pandemic levels. He noted that investors are currently pricing in one and a half cuts this year due to strong economic data, according to one attendee. 4 Bessent drew a provocative comparison between his current boss, President Trump (above), and his former mentor, the Hungarian-born Soros. Getty Images A spokesperson for the Treasury Department and the White House were not immediately available to comment. The Post has sought comment from Soros. Before being appointed Treasury secretary under Trump, Bessent worked twice at Soros Fund Management, eventually rising to the role of chief investment officer before launching his own hedge fund. He quickly advanced within the firm, eventually becoming the head of SFM's London office. In that role, Bessent played a pivotal part in executing one of the firm's most famous trades: the 1992 'Black Wednesday' bet against the British pound. This trade netted Soros's fund more than $1 billion and helped establish Bessent's reputation as a talented macro investor. He is frequently described as a protégé of Soros, having learned directly from the financier and made significant contributions to SFM's investment strategies. 4 Trump and Soros exhibit an impatience when navigating high-stakes negotiations, according to Bessent. AFP via Getty Images In 2015, after leaving Soros Fund Management, Bessent founded his own hedge fund, Key Square Group. He launched the fund with a substantial $2 billion anchor investment from Soros. The financial backing underscored the continued strength of their relationship. Although Soros's capital remained in the fund for several years, it was eventually withdrawn in 2018 as Key Square diversified its investor base. Soros, through his Open Society Foundations, has spent over $32 billion advancing left-wing causes around the world. In the US, he's backed radical criminal justice reforms, including soft-on-crime prosecutors, bail elimination and drug decriminalization. Soros, who at age 94 has largely receded from public life and has handed the reins of his empire to his son, Alex, is one of the Democratic Party's biggest donors, funneling hundreds of millions into liberal Super PACs and candidates like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. He also funded efforts to oppose Trump and other conservatives. In the 2022 midterms alone, Soros was the single largest political donor, contributing over $125 million to left-wing political groups and campaigns. Bessent has taken on an unusually prominent role for a Treasury chief, serving as the lead negotiator in ongoing trade talks with China, Japan and other Asian countries. 4 Soros, 94, has stepped back from public life. He has handed the reins over to his son, Alex Soros (left). alexsoros/Instagram He is scheduled to visit Japan next week, although the Treasury Department has stated that trade will not be a topic of discussion. Meetings with Chinese officials and Indonesia's coordinating minister for economic affairs are also expected to take place soon. During his remarks in Sun Valley, Bessent pushed back against critics who claim Trump often escalates trade conflicts only to back down. He dismissed the label 'TACO trade,' a term coined by a Financial Times columnist meaning 'Trump Always Chickens Out.' Instead, Bessent characterized Trump's approach as more aggressive and likened it to the acronym 'FAFO,' which stands for 'F— Around and Find Out,' a phrase popular on social media.
Fox News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Meet Ramaduro: Europe's progressive, Soros-trained autocrat and enemy of Trumpism
While Europe claims to champion democracy, it's quietly empowering autocrats like Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama. Elected to a fourth term with a supermajority capable of amending the constitution, Rama is now known by critics as the "Ramaduro" of Europe—an allusion toVenezuela's Nicolás Maduro—for his alleged corruption, autocratic tendencies, and mastery of political deception.A former disciple of George Soros and the Open Society, Rama has transformed himself into a political chameleon—molding his image to match the interests of the global elites and regional strongmen. SOROS V TRUMP: SOCIALISTS TARGET CONSERVATIVES IN ALBANIAN ELECTIONSubmissive to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, compliant with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and supportive of French President Emmanuel Macron in exchange for greater Balkan influence, Rama has secured a fourth consecutive mandate through elections many describe as deeply flawed—unthinkable for a NATO member and aspiring EU state. Rama rose from a representative of Open Society in Tirana to leading a country with one of Europe's most brutal communist legacies. Critics describe him as a narcissist and an anarchist, a product of Soros's post-communist influence in Eastern Europe. He consolidated power in Albaniawhile advancing the Soros-backed "Open Balkan" initiative. More recently, he's taken on a new role: the socialist progressive who worked to undermine Trump-era initiatives in for his anti-Trump rhetoric—including his infamous statement on CNN and Foreign Policy calling Trump "the shame of our civilization"—Rama became a favorite among European elites and American Democrats. His political survival has depended on aligning with the anti-Trump order, even as his domestic leadership veers toward authoritarianism. Today, as Europe grapples with a multipolar world and complex geopolitical challenges, it increasingly tolerates—if not embraces—leaders like Rama. Why? Because he professes allegiance to "European values," despite presiding over what critics call a narco-state built on organized crime and electoral represents a European version of the Chávez-Maduro model: a leftist autocrat cloaked in progressive language, wielding power with little regard for democratic norms. He embodies the stabilocracy plaguing the Balkans—regimes tolerated for the sake of regional calm, despite eroding the very values Europe claims to uphold.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent effort to block Chevron from renewing its contract in Maduro's Venezuela is a bold example of principled leadership—denying legitimacy and resources to authoritarian regimes. America must apply that same clarity to the Balkans. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONEven many Albanians now refer to their leader as "Ramaduro"—a desperate signal to the United States for help in restoring democracy. America's position should serve as a wake-up call to a Europe that has grown comfortable coexisting with mafia-style regimes rooted in corruption and repression. Europe cannot justify supporting autocrats simply because their critics are conservatives or aligned with President Trump. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPIt's time for U.S. diplomacy to take concrete steps. That means increased pressure on Albania's leadership, public support for free and fair elections, and a clear message: Alignment with Western values is measured by action, not empty declarations.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Who could replace Fed Chair Powell? These are the top contenders
President Donald Trump, unhappy with the Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates, has called Chairman Jerome Powell a "numbskull," "Mr. Too Late" and referred to him as a "stupid person" before policymakers left interest rates unchanged for the fourth time this year on Wednesday. He has also floated naming a replacement for Powell even though his term is firm through May 2026 as chair, and until Jan. 31, 2028 for the board of governors. During a Wednesday press conference, Powell was asked about the verbal insults and criticism by Trump over interest rates. "From my standpoint, it's not complicated. What everyone on the FOMC wants is a good, solid American economy with a strong labor market and price stability. That's what we want. We think our policy is well positioned right now to deliver that and to be able to respond in a timely way as the data leads us around. The economy's been resilient. And part of that is our stance," he said. He declined to say whether he would remain as a Fed governor if he was not reappointed. FOX Business takes a look at the contenders who could eventually lead the Federal Reserve. Scott Bessent, the current treasury secretary, spent the bulk of his career managing investments, including for billionaire George Soros. Bloomberg News reports he is the frontrunner. In recent congressional testimony, he said that his current role is "the best job" in the nation's capital and that while he is "happy to do what President Trump wants me to do," he "would like to stay in my seat through 2029" to advance the administration's agenda until the end of the president's term. Read On The Fox Business App Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady, Even Amid Trump Insults Economist and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hasset, who is serving his second stint in Trump world after heading the Council of Economic Advisors during Trump's first term. Hassett has been vocal about pushing the "big beautiful bill" that is part of Trump's tax platform. Will Pressure From Trump And Vance Spur Powell To Cut Interest Rates? As a monetary economist and senior fellow at the Independent Institute, she advised Trump during his first term and has been a critic of the Federal Reserve. Still, she recently acknowledged she is not as high on the list as other potential picks. "I am very honored to be at least mentioned. I won't say the top tier but I am glad to see my name put forward, because I've always been very appreciative and honored that President Trump did nominate me to serve on the board of governors," she said during an interview with FOX Business Network's Charles Payne. Trump Pushes Fed For Jumbo Rate Cut Click Here To Read More On Fox Business Former Fed official Kevin Warsh, who Trump considered for the treasury secretary role before opting to nominate Bessent, is also on the short list for the Fed chair role, according to Bloomberg. Warsh is currently a Shepard Family distinguished visiting fellow in economics at the Hoover Institution. FOX Business Network's Eric Revell contributed to this report. Original article source: Who could replace Fed Chair Powell? These are the top contenders Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Economic Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
George Soros's absence at son Alex's lavish wedding raises eyebrows on his health. Check details
George Soros skips son's wedding Live Events Who is George Soros? Billionaire Democrat George Soros did not attend his son luxurious wedding to ex-Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin this weekend, according to a report in New York Post. He, however, attended smaller Friday family service, which was reportedly officiated by a rabbi and an imam in celebration of both Abedin's Muslim faith and Soros' Jewish heritage, the report Soros, 39, wed his bride, 49, at his sprawling estate in Water Mill, New York on Saturday, surrounded by a who's who of American politics. But Alex's own father, 94-year-old Soros, wasn't in attendance. A source revealed to the publication that the top Democratic donor and philanthropist and his wife Tamiko Bolton, 'hosted an intimate family service on Friday morning at their home.'The insider added that Soros is '94 years old and in good health,' when asked if the billionaire might've skipped the Saturday event for any health George Soros was pictured with Alex wearing his wedding day suit in a happy snap his son shared to Instagram to celebrate Father's Day. 'Happy Father's Day to the goat! This was a special one,' Alex wrote alongside the at the blowout Saturday event at Alex's sprawling estate in Water Mill, N.Y., included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff, Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, 'The Tonight Show' host Jimmy Fallon, Vogue icon Anna Wintour and Nicky Hilton and his father are among the most prolific fundraisers in the Democratic Party. Soros has been named heir to his father's $25 billion leading donor to Democratic is a Hungarian-born hedge fund billionaire. According to Federal Election Commission data, he contributed $175 million to left-leaning candidates and groups during the 2022 midterm elections. In 2024, he added another $60 million in support of House and Senate Democrats through his political action committee, Democracy PAC.A 2023 CNBC report revealed that the Open Society Policy Center—a nonprofit funded by the billionaire—quietly gave $140 million in 2021 to support ballot initiatives and advocacy groups. It also provided an additional $60 million to similar nonprofit George Soros has directed his personal political donations primarily through two super PACs—Democracy PAC and Democracy PAC II—these efforts are now overseen by his 39-year-old son, Alex Soros, who also serves on the boards of both the Open Society Institute and the Open Society Policy Open Society Foundations website calls him a 'survivor of Nazi-occupied Hungry and then Communist repression.' Per their account, the Soros Sr has 'contributed more than $32 billion to advancing freedom and justice across the world.'In his efforts to champion education, he even founded the Central European University.
