The Open Society Foundations, established by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, have refuted claims that they received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or influenced its financial decisions. Michael Vachon, spokesperson for Soros and chairman of Soros Fund Management, stated that the foundation operates independently, setting its own priorities and utilizing its own funds.
“These allegations are part of a broader effort to undermine international development work and delegitimize the independent funding of civil society organizations worldwide,” Vachon stated.
These denials follow reports from The Daily Signal suggesting a connection between USAID and various global nonprofits, including those associated with Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
President Donald Trump has paused USAID funding and appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the agency’s acting head. Max Primorac, former acting chief operating officer at USAID, noted that during former President Joe Biden’s administration, USAID and Open Society frequently co-funded programs promoting progressive agendas in developing countries.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized USAID’s actions, stating that under Biden, the agency was “weaponized to fund left-wing projects and progressive operatives.” He expressed concern over substantial funds being directed to areas like Gaza, potentially benefiting anti-American and anti-Israel entities, and called for a restructuring of U.S. aid distribution to ensure better oversight and accountability.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also commented on the issue, asserting that recent revelations indicate USAID funds were used as tools of political influence to destabilize foreign governments. “The U.S. president has decided to reveal who received money and how much was allocated by various government agencies in recent years. It turned out that the liberal world elite used the budget and the U.S. government to pursue their financial and ideological goals with American involvement worldwide,” he said in a statement.
He continued to add: “On one hand, they received money from Soros foundations, and on the other, from the official U.S. state budget. They used these funds to finance activities aimed at destabilizing society, promoting immigration, undermining the institution of the family, and spreading gender ideology worldwide. All of this reinforced the left’s power… All of them received this money with the aim of overthrowing the government.”
Ongoing investigations into USAID’s funding practices continue to raise concerns about potential misuse of taxpayer dollars and the agency’s role in advancing political agendas abroad.
