Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia - Episode 55: "Heir To George Soros’ Fortune Buys Access to Biden’s WH"
Release Date: May 23, 2025
1. Introduction to the Episode
In Episode 55 of Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia, host Hayley Caronia delves into the intricate web of influence wielded by George Soros and his son, Alexander Soros. Titled "Heir To George Soros’ Fortune Buys Access to Biden’s WH," this episode features an in-depth interview with Matt Palumbo, the author of "The Man Behind the Curtain: Inside the Secret Network of George Soros." Palumbo provides a comprehensive exploration of the Soros family's expanding political and financial reach, particularly focusing on Alexander Soros's growing influence.
2. Interview with Matt Palumbo
a. Matt's Book on George Soros
Hayley begins by congratulating Matt Palumbo on his second book, highlighting the extensive research that went into it. Palumbo explains that while his first book on George Soros involved aggregating existing research, his new work on Alexander Soros required "100% original research" due to the lack of pre-existing studies on the younger Soros. This involved meticulous analysis of social media activities, political connections, and financial transactions.
Notable Quote:
“It took about twice as long as my first book because the Alex book is 100% original research.” ([02:23])
b. Deep Dive into Alex Soros
Palumbo details his efforts to track Alexander Soros's influence, including scrutinizing his social media presence and political engagements. He collaborated with Joseph Asquez from the Media Research Center to categorize Soros's activities and their impact on political events.
Notable Quote:
“I was clicking through every single social media photo he has ever posted in the past decade to track which politicians he's seeing and putting them into tables.” ([02:23])
3. George Soros' Financial Influence
a. Hedge Fund Activities and Market Manipulation
Palumbo outlines how George Soros amassed his fortune through his hedge fund, primarily through speculative trading. Notably, Soros is recognized for "breaking the British pound for a billion dollars," a move that cemented his reputation as a formidable market manipulator. His hedge fund activities extended to Asian currencies and played a significant role in the economic shifts following the Soviet Union's dissolution.
Notable Quote:
“He is, in terms of his return on investment, the second highest performing fund manager of all time is George Soros.” ([04:47])
b. Insider Trading and Scandals
Despite his financial prowess, Soros has faced allegations of insider trading, including fines from the French government. Palumbo suggests that Soros may have leveraged his political connections to gain market advantages, a claim that underscores the controversial aspects of his financial dealings.
Notable Quote:
“He is a man that can influence political events. He will know what is going to happen ahead of time and he will know how that's going to impact markets.” ([04:47])
c. Acquisition of Odyssey Radio Company
In a strategic move ahead of the 2024 election, Soros's hedge fund acquired Odyssey Radio, a major radio company. The acquisition was controversially fast-tracked by the FCC, bypassing standard regulatory procedures. Palumbo highlights concerns from current FCC commissioners about the irregularities surrounding this purchase.
Notable Quote:
“They fast-tracked that acquisition. They didn't bypass a lot of the normal regulatory hurdles you're supposed to go through.” ([07:03])
4. Alex Soros' Ascension and Influence
a. Takeover of the Open Society Foundation
In June 2023, Alexander Soros officially took the helm of the Open Society Foundation (OSF), marking a significant shift in leadership. Palumbo reveals that Alex began influencing European operations as early as 2015 and was appointed chairman of the board in December 2022.
Notable Quote:
“He became chairman of the board in December of 2022 and took over the PAC that funds all of the district attorneys that George was funding.” ([07:23])
b. Influence on District Attorneys
Under Alex's leadership, the OSF has redirected funding towards district attorneys (DAs) aligned with their political agenda. Palumbo cites cases like Kim Ogg in Harris County and Mary Moriarty in Minnesota as examples of DA's influenced by Soros funding, illustrating how these prosecutors often take stances that oppose conservative policies.
Notable Quote:
“Mary Moriarty... charged a woman who keyed a car with a felony for $7,000 worth of damage.” ([07:23])
c. Examples of Soros DA Cases
Palumbo discusses how Soros-funded DA's selectively enforce laws, sometimes harshly prosecuting minor offenses to advance a broader political narrative. He emphasizes that these DA's often push progressive agendas, contributing to what he describes as "division and chaos."
Notable Quote:
“There are Soros DA's, say vandalism is fine, we won't prosecute vandalism.” ([07:23])
d. Funding of Environmental and Social Causes
Alex Soros has significantly increased the OSF's funding towards environmental issues. Palumbo notes that while the OSF previously allocated around $190 million to climate-related grants, this figure has surged by an additional $430 million since Alex took over, highlighting a strategic pivot towards environmental activism.
Notable Quote:
“He’s far more radical than the boogeyman himself.” ([04:28])
5. Soros' Involvement with USAID
a. Changes in USAID Funding Criteria
Palumbo reveals that George Soros strategically influenced USAID's funding criteria by suing the organization on free speech grounds to remove restrictions. This legal maneuver allowed the OSF to impose contingencies on USAID funds, mandating support for progressive causes such as gay marriage, the trans agenda, and drug legalization.
Notable Quote:
“He sued USAID and free speech grounds to get that removed.” ([26:47])
b. Influence on Global Politics and NGOs
The Soros family's involvement with USAID has enabled them to destabilize various countries by funding NGOs that promote liberal agendas. Palumbo cites the East West Management Institute in Albania as an example, where USaid funding facilitated the rise of the Socialist party's control over state institutions.
Notable Quote:
“His goal is to destabilize countries.” ([12:26])
6. Soros Family vs. Elon Musk in Political Influence
a. Financial Capacity
Hayley contrasts the Soros family's vast financial resources with those of Elon Musk, noting that while Soros controls approximately $25-32 billion through the OSF, Musk possesses potentially even greater wealth, enabling both to wield significant political influence.
Notable Quote:
“George Soros has $7 billion. The OSF has around $25 billion in assets.” ([34:07])
b. Influence on Political Campaigns
Both Soros and Musk have heavily invested in political campaigns, such as the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Palumbo suggests that while Soros's influence is more directed towards social causes, Musk's involvement is more politically expansive, though both have the financial capacity to significantly impact political landscapes.
Notable Quote:
“Elon Musk could lose $100 billion today and it would have no difference in his standard of life at all.” ([33:02])
7. Soros and the Democrat Party
Palumbo discusses how the Soros family, particularly Alex Soros, exerts substantial influence over the Democratic Party by funding candidates and political initiatives aligned with their progressive agenda. This includes substantial donations to campaigns and involvement in strategic political maneuvers that shape the party's direction.
Notable Quote:
“He posted a photo with Jasmine Crockett where he called her the future of the party.” ([37:35])
8. Relationship with Huma Abedin
The conversation touches on Alexander Soros's personal ties, specifically his relationship with Huma Abedin, a prominent Democratic aide. Palumbo implies that such relationships further entrench the Soros family's influence within the Democratic establishment, although he notes the challenges in obtaining direct statements from Alex Soros.
Notable Quote:
“When I tried to get an interview, his chief of staff said he doesn't do interviews.” ([17:35])
9. Future Leadership of the Democrat Party
Hayley and Palumbo speculate on who might emerge as the next leader of the Democratic Party, suggesting that figures like Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett could be poised to take on significant leadership roles, potentially influenced by Soros's backing.
Notable Quote:
“He posted a photo with Jasmine Crockett where he called her the future of the party.” ([37:59])
10. 'Scrolling Time' Segment
In the interactive segment "Scrolling Time," Hayley and Matt explore various social and political issues highlighted on social media.
a. Birth Rates and Social Issues
A Washington Post opinion piece discussed the declining birth rates among young Americans, attributing it to differing worldviews between young men and women. Hayley connects this to broader societal shifts and economic factors, while Palumbo provides his perplexed analysis regarding the phenomenon's prevalence in affluent countries.
Notable Quote:
“The politics definitely is making a difference.” ([42:06])
b. Transgender Issues
The discussion includes critique of transgender individuals who publicly discuss their transitions, often perceived as lacking genuine understanding of women's experiences. Both Hayley and Palumbo express skepticism about the authenticity of some transgender narratives, highlighting perceived insensitivity and misunderstandings.
Notable Quote:
“Trans women, I've been injecting estrogen... This weight loss game, way harder for women.” ([45:45])
c. Dating and Political Divides
Hayley shares personal experiences from dating apps, noting the prevalence of individuals misrepresenting their political beliefs. Palumbo echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in personal relationships.
Notable Quote:
“If the woman can tell that you're trying to hide who you are to try to please her, that's worse than just coming out and saying, this is what I believe.” ([43:58])
11. Conclusion and Book Promotion
As the episode concludes, Hayley underscores the depth of Matt Palumbo's research and encourages listeners to pre-order his upcoming book. Palumbo offers a promotion where purchasing his book via a tweet can grant access to his previous work on George Soros.
Notable Quote:
“The book is called 'The Air Inside the Not so Secret Network of Alex,'... It's two books for $20.” ([38:36])
Final Thoughts
Episode 55 of Nightly Scroll provides a comprehensive examination of the Soros family's expanding influence within American and global politics. Through Matt Palumbo's extensive research, listeners gain insights into the mechanisms of political funding, strategic influence, and the broader implications for democratic institutions. The episode also touches on contemporary social issues, linking them to the overarching narrative of political manipulation and societal change.
Disclaimer: The views and information presented in this summary are based on the content provided in the podcast transcript and do not reflect endorsements or factual verification by the summarizer.