Article fabricates quotes from Alex Soros | Fact check

The claim: Alex Soros said he wants to 'eradicate' conservatives online

A June 12 article published by The People’s Voice attributes comments to the son of billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

"Alex Soros Vows To Eradicate Conservatives From the Internet: ‘I’m 100 Times Worse Than My Dad,'" reads the article's headline.

The article was shared more than 600 times in five days, according to CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool.

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Our rating: False

The article claims the comments came from an interview Alex Soros, George Soros' son, did with the Wall Street Journal. However, the comments attributed to him are not found in the Wall Street Journal article or any other credible news reports. The People's Voice regularly publishes fabricated stories.

Alex Soros interview highlights differences from father

In a June 11 Wall Street Journal article, Alex Soros, 37, said he is "more political" than his father and concerned about former President Donald Trump returning to the White House. He also talked about his interest in different social causes, including abortion rights, voting rights and gender equality.

Alex Soros also said he was concerned that free speech on college campuses and other places is becoming too restricted and expressed his belief in not silencing dissenting voices.

"I have some differences with my generation in regard to free speech and other things – I grew up watching Bill Maher before bed, after all," he said in the interview, referring to the HBO talk show host whose show routinely features a mix of conservative and liberal panelists.

Those remarks stand in contrast to comments attributed to him in The People’s Voice, which claims he said he would try to silence conservative voices. The article quotes the younger Soros as saying to the Wall Street Journal, “I’m 100 times worse Than my dad," and that he would censor conservatives “100 times more aggressively” than his father.

However, those comments never appear in the interview, nor are they found elsewhere online in reputable news sources.

Fact check: Donald Trump ties George Soros to Alvin Bragg. Experts say connection is mischaracterized

In December, the Open Society Foundations' board elected Alex Soros as its chairman, replacing his 92-year-old father, but the change was not immediately announced. The Wall Street Journal article says he is also now president of his father’s super PAC and the only family member on the investment committee for Soros Fund Management, the firm that oversees billions of dollars for the family and its foundations.

George Soros has been a frequent target of misinformation and antisemitic content, often connected with his public political activity. USA TODAY has debunked claims that he collaborated with the Nazis, that he "funded" voting machines and that he endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.

The People's Voice, previously known as NewsPunch, has repeatedly published fabricated stories, many of which USA TODAY has debunked.

USA TODAY reached out to The People's Voice for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Lead Stories also debunked the claim.

Our fact-check sources:

• Wall Street Journal, June 11, George Soros Hands Control to His 37-Year-Old Son: ‘I’m More Political’

• CNN, updated June 13, George Soros has handed control of his charitable and political activities to his son Alex

• USA TODAY, April 1, Donald Trump using antisemitic rhetoric to get political donations after indictment

• USA TODAY. Nov. 3, 2022, The 2022 midterm elections could cost $9.3B. Where is the money coming from? Who benefits?

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Alex Soros didn't pledge to 'eradicate' conservatives | Fact check