Governor Gavin Newsom takes cash from far-left billionaire accused of funding domestic extremist groups.
Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire after billionaire financier George Soros donated $10 million to support Newsom’s controversial mid-decade redistricting initiative — a plan critics say is designed to wipe out Republican representation in California.
California Rep. Kevin Kiley (R) blasted the move on X, writing: “George Soros just gave $10 million to Newsom’s Redistricting Sham. In case there were any doubts what this is all about.”
George Soros just gave $10 million to Newsom’s Redistricting Sham. In case there were any doubts what this is all about.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) September 19, 2025
The donation, first reported by The New York Times, makes Soros the single largest funder of the ballot measure, which would strip California’s independent redistricting commission of its power and hand control back to the Democrat-dominated state legislature.
Conservative commentator Steve Guest also weighed in, pointing to Soros’s troubling financial history:
“FOLLOW THE MONEY: ‘Soros’ Open Society gave $80 million to pro-terror groups’ ‘Soros Gives $10 Million to Newsom Redistricting Fight.’”
FOLLOW THE MONEY:
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) September 19, 2025
"Soros’ Open Society gave $80 million to pro-terror groups"
"Soros Gives $10 Million to Newsom Redistricting Fight" pic.twitter.com/LiGq0QLGig
That accusation isn’t without basis. A report by Capital Research revealed that Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF), now run by his son Alexander, have funneled over $80 million into organizations tied to terrorism and extremist violence. The report states, “Open Society awarded at least $23,275,000 to seven groups that directly assist domestic terrorism and criminality on U.S. soil.”
In other words, Governor Gavin Newsom is gladly taking money from a man whose organizations have funded domestic unrest and radical activism across America.
Meanwhile, the legality of Newsom’s redistricting push is already being challenged in federal court. Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has filed suit to block what he calls “California’s unconstitutional redistricting plan,” arguing it violates the principle of one person, one vote and dismantles the state’s guarantee of equal protection.
Democrats in Sacramento have aggressively pushed through legislation—SB 280, AB 604, and ACA 8—to suspend the state’s voter-approved Citizens Redistricting Commission. That bipartisan body was created in 2008 to ensure fair, nonpartisan district maps following each census. Newsom’s plan would override that system for upcoming elections, allowing Democrat lawmakers to draw their own maps behind closed doors.
Republicans say the motive is clear: to cement one-party rule. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-East Nicolaus) didn’t mince words after Democrats’ maps were leaked. “Don’t p–s on my boots and tell me it’s raining. These are rigged maps drawn in secret to give Democrat politicians more power by dismantling the independent commission Californians created to keep them out of map-drawing,” he said. Gallagher added, “In order to save Democracy we must dismantle it.”
The so-called “Proposition 50,” effectively nullifies the will of the people and hands total control of redistricting to Democrat legislators. Unsurprisingly, Soros is bankrolling it.
Polling shows Californians are deeply divided over the measure. While an Emerson College poll found 51% currently support Prop. 50, 34% oppose it — and 15% remain undecided.
For now, one thing is clear: Gavin Newsom is aligning himself with George Soros — a billionaire known for bankrolling radical causes and destabilizing movements — in an effort to further entrench Democratic power in California.
