George Soros did not give $1 million to the prosecutor behind Trump's indictment

Context

On March 30, 2023, news outlets reported that a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Donald Trump for his role in a $130,000 alleged "hush money" payment to the adult performer Stormy Daniels. While the details of this indictment will remain sealed until formally announced, the former president, his allies, and supporters have sharply criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for his role in the prosecution. 

A common criticism of Bragg from figures supportive of Trump is that he is influenced by George Soros. Soros, a Hungarian-American investor and high-profile political donor, has given large amounts of money to Democratic causes and candidates over the years. This has led many on the right to question Soros' influence and has led to the billionaire being featured in a number of conspiracy theories. 

Following news of his indictment, Trump released a statement singling out Bragg and his purported links to Soros, claiming, "Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was hand-picked and funded by George Soros, is a disgrace." This sentiment was repeated by many supporters, who have taken to describing Bragg as "Soros-backed." Against this backdrop, dubious claims have circulated concerning the relationship between Bragg and Soros. Among these is the claim that Soros donated $1 million to Bragg's election campaign. 

Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt was among those who repeated this claim in the wake of news concerning Trump's indictment. Posting on Twitter, Hunt stated, "A Manhattan Grand Jury at the behest of a weaponized prosecutor, who received a million dollars from Soros, has indicted a former U.S. President. This unprecedented attack against Trump is an assault on everything we hold sacred about our Republic."

In Fact 

While this claim has been widely repeated, it is not true that George Soros has given Alvin Bragg $1 million, personally or through political donations. 

This claim appears to stem from a donation made by Soros to Color of Change. Founded in 2005, Colour of Change states its mission is to "move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America." As part of this, the organization donates to political candidates. 

The donation to Color of Change that has drawn the attention of Trump and his supporters recently is a $1 million payment by George Soros to Color of Change's Political Action Committee (PAC) in 2021. This donation was made days after the PAC endorsed Bragg and announced that it would spend $1 million supporting his electoral campaign. According to Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, the organization ultimately spent "around $500,000" on Bragg's race. 

While $500,000 is a substantial sum, there is no evidence that Alvin Bragg takes direction from George Soros. Speaking anonymously to CNBC, an advisor to Soros told the outlet that the billionaire "has never met or spoken to Alvin Bragg." Soros' $1 million wasn't earmarked for Bragg; Color of Change supported other progressive district attorney candidates that year in different cities, and had done so in previous election cycles.

It is worth noting that George Soros has been the subject of numerous false, racially motivated claims over the years. In covering the speculation surrounding his donation to Color of Change, CNN elaborated on this context, stating that Soros has been "a frequent target of antisemitic conspiracy theories painting the Jewish philanthropist as a puppetmaster behind various US and international events."

The Verdict 

Geoge Soros has not given Alvin Bragg $1 million as claimed. Soros donated $1 million to Color of Change's Political Action Committee in 2021, which later donated around $500,000 to Bragg's campaign for the office of District Attorney. There is no evidence that Soros directs Bragg's actions as Manhattan District Attorney. This claim has therefore been marked as false.