George Soros Named Financial Times’ ‘Person Of The Year’
George Soros Image by Getty Images
The Financial Times chose billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros as its “Person of the Year.”
The publication said it picked Soros not only for his achievements, but also for “the values he represents.”
“He is the standard bearer of liberal democracy and open society. These are the ideas which triumphed in the cold war,” the Financial Times wrote. “Today, they are under siege from all sides, from Vladimir Putin’s Russia to Donald Trump’s America.”
Throughout the piece, Soros, who is Jewish, is lauded for his philanthropic endeavors. He has dedicated his life and wealth to liberal causes, fighting against “authoritarianism, racism and intolerance.” That has also made him a boogeyman to the far-right, spurring many — often anti-Semitic — conspiracy theories about him manipulating global politics, such as funding the recent United States midterm elections and the caravan of migrants attempting to cross over into the U.S. from Mexico. He was also the first Democratic figure to have a bomb sent to his home.
Meanwhile, he’s working toward a liberal democracy, vowing to fund a program that helps people find asylum from civil war, poverty or political oppression.
“I’m blamed for everything, including being the anti-Christ,” Soros told the Financial Times. “I wish I didn’t have so many enemies, but I take it as an indication that I must be doing something right.”
Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
