Claim that George Soros funds NGOs burning France is baseless?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check

The Reel offers no evidence that George Soros or Open Society Foundations directly fund rioting or burning in France, misrepresenting general civil society grants. Reporting by La Gaceta identified seven French organizations active in or commenting on protests that had received grants from or links to Open Society Foundations, alongside European Union funding. However, Forbes, Snopes, and PolitiFact confirm there is no evidence OSF directly funds protests, violence, or rioting. Branding civil society groups as 'Soros-funded' is a recurring label used to dismiss social unrest as foreign-orchestrated without addressing its causes.

1 source
Checked 8 Nov 2026

The post we checked

France burns. The NGOs involved all take one man’s money: George Soros’s

No link: Instagram doesn't share the address of a post sent by DM, so we can't link to it.

The trick: Guilty by link

It tars someone with the views or acts of people linked to them (known as guilt by association).

“The NGOs involved all take one man's money: George Soros's”

It conflates general civil society operating grants with direct financial backing for violent rioting and burning.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What the post doesn't tell you

Open Society Foundations awards general operating grants to civil society organizations, which does not constitute direct funding for protests or rioting.
Open Society Foundations stated its grants provide general organizational support for civil society and rights work, and denied funding riots or illegal activity directly (Open Society Foundations, Forbes).
Reporting by La Gaceta noted seven French organizations active in or commenting on demonstrations had links to Open Society Foundations, while several also received European Union funding (La Gaceta, Brussels Signal).

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “George Soros funds the non-governmental organizations responsible for or involved in unrest and burning in France.”

Providing general operating support to civil society organisations does not prove George Soros is financing or orchestrating violent unrest and burning in France.

Short version

🚫 BASELESS 👉 There is no evidence that George Soros or Open Society Foundations directly fund rioting, burning, or social unrest in France. 👉 Forbes, Snopes, and PolitiFact confirmed that OSF funding for French civil society grants does not directly fund violence or protests. 🎭 Trick: Guilty by link 📰 Source: Forbes 🔎 Full check: send this post to @checkthis.chat