‘I’m happy that I irritate some people’: George Soros responds to being at the centre of far-right’s conspiracy machine

Billionaire philanthropist and investor is an advocate for many liberal causes

George Soros at the World Economic Forum in January 2020 (AFP via Getty Images)

George Soros has long been a boogeyman for those that disseminate and consume right-wing conspiracy theories, but in a new documentary, he finally breaks his silence on what he thinks of being part of so many conspiracy theories.

“The fact that I have become involved in so many different issues, and have taken controversial positions, is now actually working against me,” the billionaire philanthropist and investor says.

“I'm happy that I irritate some people,” he adds.

Speaking to the director of Soros, Jesse Dylan, son of musician Bob Dylan, Mr Soros reflects on his life and the constant accusation of being a puppetmaster sowing chaos behind the scenes, a common trope of antisemites, The Daily Beast reports.

As recently as Thursday lunchtime Donald Trump’s legal team accused him of being part of a vast conspiracy to steal the 2020 US election for Joe Biden that also involved the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, the Chinese, and a provider of voting systems, among others.

He is vilified by the right wing of American politics. Mr Trump has accused him of funding antifa, the ‘March For Our Lives’, and the caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico towards the US in 2018.

Mr Soros was born Jewish in Hungary in 1930 and survived the Nazi occupation, moving to the UK after the war. He now holds dual Hungarian and US citizenship.

Historically, Mr Soros has acted as a liberal advocate for causes including drug policy reform, open migration and a number of separatist movements.

In the 1990s he helped provide funds to a number of former Soviet states as they found their independence.

His reputation for backing liberal causes means he is often demonised by those whose interests he may harm by pushing for freer access to employment, education and justice.

Conspiracy theories involving Mr Soros often originate from the darker parts of the internet and social media.

They are almost always antisemitic in nature, and yet often find their ways into the mainstream through remarks given by conservative politicians and other officials.

Mr Soros’ support for liberal causes is done through his Open Society Foundation through with donations reaching $12bn by 2017.