Executive Summary 📋
The “No Kings” protests have attracted millions of participants nationwide, with the October 18, 2025 demonstrations expecting over 2,500 events across all 50 states. But who’s funding these massive mobilizations? What political leaders are supporting them? And are the viral rumors about communist infiltration true? This deep-dive investigation separates fact from fiction.
Key Finding: While Soros funding is documented and verifiable, claims about communist control are misleading and overstate actual involvement.
THE FUNDING SOURCES: Following the Money 💸
1. George Soros & Open Society Foundations ✅ VERIFIED
The Facts:
George Soros’ Open Society Foundations awarded a $3 million grant in 2023 to Indivisible, the primary organization behind the “No Kings” protests
In total, the Open Society Foundations have awarded $7.61 million in grants to Indivisible between the group’s founding in 2017 and 2023
This makes OSF one of the largest consistent funders of Indivisible’s operations
What Soros Says About It: “We support a wide range of independent organizations that work to deepen civic engagement through peaceful democratic participation, a hallmark of any vibrant society and a right protected by the Constitution,” a spokesperson for the Open Society Foundations told Fox News
Importantly: The Open Society Foundations website states they “don’t pay, train, or coordinate protesters”
2. Other Major Funders 💼
Home of the Brave:
Home of the Brave, a political group, announced it was spending $1 million to advertise the No Kings protests, including in local and national newspapers
Founded by George Conway (co-founder of The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC)
Christy Walton (Walmart Heiress):
Billionaire Christy Walton (Walmart heiress) was identified as a major financial backer
Indivisible’s Funding Structure:
Indivisible operates as a 501(c)(4) “social welfare organization” and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Indivisible Project (c4) handles political organizing
Indivisible Civics (c3) handles nonprofit educational activities
Indivisible Action is a separate political action committee
3. Tides Foundation & Network 🌊
In 2017, Indivisible received a $350,000 grant from Tides Advocacy, a group affiliated with the Tides Network
The Tides Foundation provides infrastructure and fiscal sponsorship for progressive organizations
THE COMMUNIST PARTY CONTROVERSY: Myth vs. Reality ❌✅
This is where the narrative gets complicated. Let’s separate the verified facts from the hype.
THE RUMOR: “Communist Party USA Is Organizing No Kings” ❌ MISLEADING
What Republicans Claimed:
Sen. Ted Cruz claimed that the “No Kings” demonstrations were “part of Antifa,” a loose antifascist coalition that Trump recently designated as a terrorist organization
Multiple Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, called the protests “Hate America rallies”
Conservative outlets claimed CPUSA “sponsored” the protests
The Actual Facts: ⚠️
According to a comprehensive fact-check, the CPUSA (Communist Party USA) is not recorded as having claimed responsibility for or organizing the “No Kings” protest. News and event summaries identify groups such as UUP and Indivisible as organizers, but CPUSA is not listed as an organizer in mainstream reporting
What Actually Happened:
The Communist Party USA was listed as one of many endorsers/supporters of certain local No Kings events (particularly in New York City)
Endorsing ≠ Organizing. Being listed as a supporter is different from being a primary organizer
Joe Sims, co-chair of the Communist Party, responded directly to Cruz in a video message, saying: “Neither you, nor Donald Trump, nor Stephen Miller, nor Kash Patel, nor Pam Bondi—none of you are going to prevent us or anyone else from going to the No Kings Day demonstrations... You know good and well that we [the CPUSA] are not ‘hosting’ that demonstration”
Legal Analysis: The First Amendment protects the right of communist organizations to participate in and endorse lawful protests. Their participation doesn’t invalidate the constitutional rights of other protesters.
THE RUMOR: “Protesters Are Being Paid to Attend” ❌ UNSUBSTANTIATED
The Claim:
Conservative activists and Trump administration officials suggested protesters were being paid
The Reality:
No credible evidence has emerged showing systematic payment of protesters
While organizers have not released details on fundraising ahead of the protests, and the coalition has remained relatively decentralized, the stated spending relates to advertising and promotion, not paying individual attendees
THE RUMOR: “Antifa Will Infiltrate the Protests and Cause Violence” ⚠️ PARTIALLY TRUE
What Federal Officials Said:
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, 38 individuals were arrested in connection with the No Kings protests in June. Charges ranged from vandalism to assault on police officers. Despite no direct link to the “No Kings” leadership, federal officials alleged antifa was responsible for embedding into the demonstration, leading to violence
Important Distinction:
Isolated incidents of vandalism (38 arrests out of estimated 5+ million participants = 0.0008% arrest rate) don’t represent the movement
No evidence shows “antifa” was organized by protest leadership
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy raised concerns about “radical groups, particularly antifa, may be quietly embedding themselves into the ‘No Kings’ protests and potentially escalating tensions” — but this was a warning, not evidence of actual coordination
Organizers’ Response:
Indivisible Project has trained tens of thousands of people in safety and de-escalation, and organizers are working directly with cities to prepare for potential disruptions
DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SUPPORT: Which Politicians Are Backing It? 🗳️
SENATE LEADERSHIP:
Chuck Schumer (Senate Minority Leader, D-NY) ✅ STRONG SUPPORTER
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer spoke on the Senate floor urging Americans to peacefully exercise their constitutional right to free speech and protest at the upcoming No Kings rallies, emphasizing the need to stand against the Trump administration’s threats to democracy
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on X he marched with labor unions Saturday in the “No Kings” protest in New York City
Quote: “We are a democracy in America. We have no kings, despite the fact that Trump has even said he wants to become one”
Schumer’s Senate Floor Remarks
Bernie Sanders (Independent Senator, I-VT) ✅ ATTENDING
Top Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining what organizers view as an antidote to Trump’s actions
Quote: “We the people will rule”
Additional Democratic Senators Supporting:
Democratic Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper told the DCNF, “My plan is to go down and see it and be part of it. I think it’s going to be a powerful statement, because you’re going to see millions of people across America saying we do not like the direction that the White House is leading this country”
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
Multiple other Democratic senators
HOUSE LEADERSHIP:
Hakeem Jeffries (House Minority Leader, D-NY) ⚠️ CAUTIOUS SUPPORT
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries did not provide a clear answer when asked if he would attend one of the rallies Saturday, telling reporters he hasn’t “finalized” his schedule
However, he publicly stated that protesting is “as American as motherhood, baseball, and apple pie”
Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) ✅ ATTENDED
U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) attended a “No Kings” protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, in Times Square in New York City, on Oct. 18, 2025
Mikie Sherrill (Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate, NJ) ✅ ATTENDED
New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill attended a “No Kings” protest in Montclair, N.J., where she accused President Donald Trump of “raising costs”
NO SITTING U.S. PRESIDENTS SUPPORTING THE PROTESTS ⛔
Important Note: Donald Trump is currently serving as president (inaugurated January 20, 2025). No other sitting presidents exist. Former presidents and 2024 candidates have made statements:
According to CNN, former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Friday commented via X: “In our country, the power is with the people” (implied support for democratic participation)
WHY DEMOCRATS ARE SUPPORTING NO KINGS 🤔
Official Stated Reasons:
First Amendment Rights — Defending constitutional freedoms
Opposition to Trump Policies — Immigration enforcement actions, government cuts, federal program restrictions
Democracy Concerns — Framing Trump as authoritarian
Political Messaging — Showing solidarity with progressive base
Government Shutdown Dynamics — Republicans argue that Democrats have kept the government shuttered until Saturday’s protests, where lawmakers are expected to proclaim their willingness to fight the Trump administration and shore up their standing with progressives
REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION: What They’re Claiming ❌
Official Republican Arguments:
House Speaker Mike Johnson:
Labeled No Kings “Hate America rallies”
Claimed, without evidence, that Saturday’s planned rallies have contributed to the ongoing government shutdown
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX):
Sen. Ted Cruz was the first to sound the alarm on ties between Soros and the “No Kings” protest during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday, saying “There’s considerable evidence that George Soros and his network are behind funding these rallies, which may well be riots all across the country”
Introduced the FUNDERS Act to impose RICO charges on protest funders
Trump Administration Officials:
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claimed antifa infiltration
Suggested national security concerns
THE SHUTDOWN CONTROVERSY: Did Democrats Prolong It for the Protests? 🚨
The Accusation:
Republicans claim Democrats deliberately kept the government shut down until October 18 to allow their members to attend protests and bolster their base support.
The Democratic Response:
Democrats argue the protests will be peaceful and represent Americans’ fundamental right to exercise free speech. Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care
Schumer reportedly coordinated shutdown strategy with progressive activist groups including Indivisible
The Legal Reality:
Both parties have legitimate constitutional authority in budget negotiations
Government shutdowns result from legislative deadlock, not external protest movements
However, the timing of supporting protest attendance during shutdown negotiations is politically strategic
DOCUMENTED CONTROVERSIES & INCIDENTS 🚨
1. June 2025 Protest Violence in Salt Lake City 💔
What Happened:
During the June 14, 2025 No Kings protest in Salt Lake City, an innocent bystander was killed
Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo, 39, was fatally wounded by a security “peacemaker” at the event
Status: This incident highlighted the need for proper security protocols at mass protests
2. Accusation: Democratic Pressure Campaign on Shutdown ✅ VERIFIED
Indivisible Project, the 501(c)(4) responsible for organizing much of the “resistance” against Trump, is directing its army of activists to flood the phone lines of their Democratic senators and demand that they not vote for GOP-sponsored government funding proposals, therefore forcing a partial shutdown
Analysis: This represents legitimate political organizing, not necessarily a scandal—but demonstrates clear coordination between protest organizers and Democratic leadership on legislative strategy.
3. Claim: Trump Called for Violence Against Protesters ✅ DOCUMENTED
Trump publicly opposed the demonstrations, saying “I don’t feel like a king,” adding a threat to people who protest at the parade in DC: “For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force”
FACT-CHECK TABLE: Separating Rumors from Reality 📊
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR LEGAL ANALYSIS ⚖️
What We Know:
✅ Documented Funding: Soros/OSF funding of Indivisible is verifiable and transparent through tax filings
✅ Legitimate Political Organizing: Both funding and advocacy are legal and protected activities
✅ Democratic Party Coordination: Clear alignment between protest timing and political strategy
✅ Communist Participation: CPUSA participates in protests as one of many coalition members, but doesn’t control them
✅ Peaceful Track Record: Despite arrests for vandalism, overall violence rate is minimal (38 arrests ÷ 5M+ attendees)
❌ Conspiracy Theories: Claims of complete communist takeover or systematic payment of protesters are unsupported
⚠️ Legitimate Security Concerns: Infiltration by bad-faith actors is a real issue at any mass gathering, requiring proper organization
FOLLOW THE MONEY: Complete Funding Sources 💰
Congress.gov Lobbying Disclosures
Open Society Foundations Grant Database
Indivisible 990 Tax Forms (GuideStar)
Resources for Deeper Research 📚
Official Sources:
News Coverage:
Fact-Checking:
Primary Documents:
Final Analysis: The Bottom Line 🏛️
The “No Kings” protests represent legitimate exercises of First Amendment rights organized by a well-funded coalition of progressive organizations. While George Soros funding is documented and transparent, the most sensational claims—that communists are secretly running the movement or that protesters are being paid—are either misleading or unsupported by evidence.
What’s Verified:
Democratic political leaders are actively supporting the protests
Funding comes from wealthy progressive donors, foundations, and organized labor
The protests are substantially peaceful, with violence rates far below national protest averages
Organizers coordinate closely with Democratic leadership on timing and messaging
What’s Misleading:
Suggestions of communist “control” overstate actual involvement
Claims of systematic paid protesting lack evidence
Framing millions of participants as victims of manipulation ignores individual agency
The Legal Reality: Regardless of one’s political views on the protests’ message, the rights being exercised—assembly, free speech, petition—are fundamental constitutional protections. Funding political speech through donations is protected activity. However, the coordination between Democratic leadership, Indivisible, and shutdown strategy reflects explicit political calculation.
Voters should judge these protests and their backers based on: (1) Transparency of funding, (2) Track record of peaceful advocacy, and (3) Alignment with their own values—not based on unsupported conspiracy theories.
🔴 OPINION/ANALYSIS SECTION 🔴
THE DEEPER TRUTH: How Dark Money Keeps Us Divided While Funding BOTH Sides ⚫💰
⚠️ READER NOTE: The following section represents analytical opinion and interpretation, not documented fact. While grounded in verified funding data presented earlier, the conclusions drawn and frameworks presented reflect editorial perspective. Readers are encouraged to form their own interpretations.
This is where the real story gets uncomfortable—and it applies far beyond just No Kings.
The Illusion of Opposition 🎭
We’re presented with a false choice: Pro-Trump vs. Anti-Trump, Conservative vs. Progressive, Republican vs. Democrat. But follow the money long enough, and you’ll discover something troubling: the same wealthy interests and foundations fund movements on BOTH sides of the political divide.
How It Works: The Dark Money Playbook 📖
Step 1: Fund Both Sides
Soros/Open Society Foundations fund progressive causes (No Kings, BLM, climate activism)
Koch Network/Conservative Foundations fund right-wing causes (Tea Party, MAGA organizing, conservative media)
Corporate PACs fund BOTH parties to ensure access regardless of who wins
Step 2: Create Tribal Identity
We’re told we must choose a “side”
Our identity becomes wrapped up in defeating “the other side”
Nuance disappears; complexity is reduced to bumper sticker slogans
Step 3: Monetize Division
Media companies profit from conflict and outrage (whether left or right)
Politicians raise record donations based on existential threats from the other party
Nonprofit organizations receive massive grants to fight the “enemy”
Step 4: Nothing Fundamentally Changes
Billionaires remain billionaires
Corporate power continues unchecked
Both parties accept money from the same corporate interests
Citizens remain divided and distracted
Follow the Money ACROSS Party Lines 💸
Who Funds Progressive Causes:
George Soros / Open Society Foundations: $7.61M+ to Indivisible alone
Bill Gates Foundation: Billions to health/climate initiatives
Ford Foundation: Billions to social justice causes
Tech billionaires (Google, Meta executives): Donations to Democratic causes
Who Funds Conservative Causes:
Koch Network: Billions to libertarian/conservative causes
Mercer Family Foundation: Billions to conservative media and politics
Adelson Family: Billions to Trump and conservative causes
Oil & Gas Industry: Donations to both parties (access strategy)
Who Funds BOTH:
JPMorgan Chase: Donations to both Democratic and Republican candidates
Goldman Sachs: Contributions to both parties
Pharmaceutical Industry: Lobbying both sides
Defense Contractors: Supporting candidates from both parties
The Real Pattern: Class, Not Party 🏛️
What The Data Shows: The wealthiest 1% donate across party lines strategically—ensuring that whether Republicans or Democrats win, their interests are protected. Meanwhile, working and middle-class Americans spend energy fighting each other instead of examining who’s actually in power.
Example:
In 2024, billionaires donated record amounts to BOTH Trump and Democratic candidates
Corporate donations remained relatively neutral—they just wanted access to whoever would win
Meanwhile, ordinary Americans were told this election would determine the fate of democracy
No Kings vs. Trump Rallies: Two Sides of the Same Coin 🪙
No Kings Funded By:
Soros (via Open Society)
Walton heiress (Walmart fortune)
Progressive billionaires
Organized labor (which itself receives corporate donations)
Trump Rallies Funded By:
Trump’s personal brand
Conservative billionaires
Corporate donors seeking access
Grassroots small-dollar donations
The Result: Americans on both sides believe they’re fighting for democracy, but both movements are substantially funded by the same mechanisms: billionaire money and corporate interests.
What We Should Actually Be United On 🤝
Instead of No Kings vs. Pro-Trump, or BLM vs. Blue Lives Matter, Americans across the political spectrum actually agree on:
✅ Billionaires have too much power
✅ Campaign finance is broken
✅ Corporate lobbyists have corrupted both parties
✅ Working people are left behind
✅ The system is rigged against the average person
✅ Media consolidation limits our information
✅ Healthcare, housing & education costs are unaffordable
Why They Keep Us Divided 🔗
Because united citizens are a threat. If Americans across the political spectrum united around common economic interests—instead of being divided by cultural wedge issues—they could demand:
Campaign finance reform
Antitrust action against monopolies
Corporate tax increases
Wealth redistribution
Labor protections
Healthcare reform
This would threaten the interests of the billionaires and corporations funding BOTH sides.
The Question You Should Be Asking 🤔
Not: “Is No Kings legitimate or is it Soros manipulation?”
But: “Why do billionaires and mega-foundations need to fund grassroots movements at all? Shouldn’t authentic grassroots movements emerge organically from the people?”
The uncomfortable answer: Because authentic grassroots movements—ones demanding real redistribution of wealth and power—are dangerous to the status quo. So billionaires and foundations co-opt, fund, and shape movements to ensure they remain “safe” within the system.
What Real Change Would Look Like 💪
Actual unity across party lines demanding:
Campaign Finance Reform — Ban billionaire donations
Wealth Taxation — Tax billionaires fairly
Antitrust Action — Break up monopolies
Labor Rights — Strengthen unions and worker protections
Healthcare — Single-payer system (supported by majority of Americans left AND right)
Housing — Address the affordability crisis
Term Limits — End career politicians beholden to donors
The Hard Truth ⚠️
This post analyzed No Kings critically and fairly. But the deeper truth is that the system itself is designed to prevent the kind of unity that would actually threaten billionaire power.
No Kings won’t achieve its stated goals because the Democratic Party—which it’s aligned with—is also funded by billionaires and corporations
Trump’s movement won’t achieve its stated goals because he himself is a billionaire and his administration is filled with corporate interests
Both movements serve a function: they mobilize voters, energize bases, and create the illusion of opposition—while the fundamental power structure remains unchanged
What You Can Actually Do 🎯
Instead of choosing between No Kings or Pro-Trump, ask yourself:
Who am I supporting with my money & attention? Follow the funding of any organization asking for your support
What policies would actually improve my life? Healthcare, housing, wages—not cultural grievances alone
Can I find common ground with people I politically disagree with? Chances are, you have more in common economically than you think
Am I being divided intentionally? Ask yourself what purpose it serves to keep left and right fighting instead of uniting
The Real Resistance 💡
Real resistance isn’t choosing between billionaire-funded movements. Real resistance is:
Supporting local, grassroots organizations (that DON’T take billionaire money)
Demanding transparency in funding
Building cross-partisan coalitions around economic justice
Refusing to participate in the tribal culture wars
Holding elected officials accountable regardless of party
Supporting campaigns to reform campaign finance
Final Word: We’re Being Played 🎮
Whether you support No Kings or oppose it, whether you’re progressive or conservative, you should be asking the same question: Why do billionaires and mega-foundations need to fund our political movements?
The answer reveals the uncomfortable truth: We’re not actually in charge. We’re being managed.
But here’s the hopeful part: Once we realize it, we can change it. Real power comes from ordinary people uniting around shared economic interests—not from choosing between billionaire-funded options A and B.
The path forward isn’t No Kings vs. Trump supporters. It’s working people across the political spectrum demanding an economy that actually works for them.
That’s the real story decoded.
This analysis presents information from multiple credible sources while also acknowledging the systemic patterns that keep Americans divided. Real change requires seeing beyond individual movements to the underlying power structures that fund and shape them.
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