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By Jordan King and Shane Croucher
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President Donald Trump said his administration is probing whether the billionaire philanthropist George Soros "and other radical left lunatics" helped to fund the "No Kings" protests on Saturday.
Through his foundations, Soros has heavily funded progressive causes across the world, including in the U.S., and become a bête noire of the conservative right. Trump has also recently designated the far-left Antifa movement as a terrorist organization.
“I guess (the protest) was paid for by Soros and other radical left lunatics,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One as he traveled back to Washington, D.C., from Florida on Sunday night. “It looks like it was, we're checking it out.”
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Why It Matters
The “No Kings” protests are an illustration of how divided America is right now, with millions gathering across the United States on Saturday.
Organizers said nearly 7 million people attended around 2,700 protests in every state across the U.S. on Saturday. International demonstrations were also seen in several European countries, including Germany, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.
Trump's claim that Soros may have funded the movement questions the legitimacy of the protests against him, implying that they may not be reflective of what people actually believe.
What To Know
"I think it's a joke," Trump said of the "No Kings" protests on board Air Force One on Sunday night. "I looked at the people, they're not representative of this country. And I looked at all the brand new signs paid—I guess it was paid for by Soros and other radical left lunatics. It looks like it was, we're checking it out."
Trump dismissed the protests as "very small, very ineffective, and the people were whacked out."
He added: "And by the way, I'm not a king. I'm not a king. I work my ass off to make our country great. That's all it is. I'm not a king at all."
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The "No Kings" campaign said the protests were held to "defend democratic norms and reject authoritarianism."
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson previously told Newsweek about the protests: "Cry more libs!" She also told Newsweek about Saturday's rallies: "Who cares?"
Trump has also mocked “No Kings” protesters, posting videos on social media depicting him as a king.
Saturday was the third major mass mobilization since Trump's return to the White House, and represents a significant show of organized, opposition to the administration's policies.
What People Are Saying
No Kings Here says in its X bio: "For everyone proudly saying ‘I voted for this’ — thanks for admitting you voted for corruption, chaos, and cruelty. We won’t let you destroy democracy. No kings. No dictators. No cults."
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said on X: "Thank you to the millions of Americans who turned out in small communities and big cities all over this country to say loudly and boldly: No more kings. In America, We the People will rule."
What Happens Next
The administration’s investigation into funding sources for the No Kings protest movement is ongoing. Conversations about the legitimacy of the opposition towards Trump is expected to be ongoing.
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