Vice President Vance's Promises to 'Go After' Left-Leaning Organizations
Vice President Vance's Promises to "Go After" Left-Leaning Organizations
In a recent interview with Politico, Vice President Vance made bold promises to "go after" left-leaning organizations, specifically targeting the Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations, run by George Soros. This statement has sparked controversy and raised concerns about potential political targeting and interference with non-profit organizations.
The Ford Foundation's History of Progressive Funding
Founded in 1936, the Ford Foundation has a long history of funding progressive causes and organizations. Their mission is to "reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement." This has led to significant contributions to social justice movements, environmental initiatives, and education programs.
The Open Society Foundations and Its Global Impact
Founded in 1979 by George Soros, the Open Society Foundations has supported numerous human rights and social justice initiatives globally. Their efforts have ranged from combating human rights violations in Eastern Europe to promoting democracy and good governance in developing countries. The foundation's global reach and influence have made it a target for political backlash.
About the People Mentioned
Vance
James David Vance, born August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, is an American politician, author, attorney, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran currently serving as the 50th vice president of the United States. Raised in a working-class family with Appalachian roots, Vance overcame early life challenges including family instability and his mother’s struggles with addiction, being largely raised by his grandmother. He served four years in the Marine Corps, including deployment to Iraq, before earning his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and a law degree from Yale Law School in 2013. Vance gained national prominence through his 2016 bestselling memoir, *Hillbilly Elegy*, which chronicled his upbringing and broader social issues facing working-class Americans. After law school, he worked as a corporate lawyer and venture capitalist. Politically, Vance initially considered running for office in 2018 but entered the 2022 U.S. Senate race for Ohio, winning the Republican nomination with support from former President Donald Trump. He defeated Democratic nominee Tim Ryan in the general election and served as U.S. Senator from January 2023 until January 2025. During his Senate tenure, Vance was active in debates, sponsored legislation, and served on committees related to banking, commerce, and aging. He was known for his conservative and populist stances, including opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and gun control, and was vocal on issues such as U.S. aid to Ukraine. In July 2024, Trump selected Vance as his vice presidential running mate. The Trump-Vance ticket narrowly won the 2024 presidential election, and Vance resigned his Senate seat on January 10, 2025, before being sworn in as vice president. He is noted as the first millennial and one of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history. Vance continues to serve as a key figure in national conservative politics and as finance chair of the Republican National Committee[1][2][3][4][5][6].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Ford Foundation
The **Ford Foundation**, established on January 15, 1936, by Edsel Ford and other Ford Motor Company executives, began as a charitable organization aimed at supporting scientific, educational, and public welfare initiatives, primarily in Michigan[1][4][9]. It was originally created partly as a strategic response to the 1935 U.S. Revenue Act, which introduced a 70% estate tax on large inheritances, to help preserve family control over Ford Motor Company stock[1][4][9]. After the deaths of Edsel Ford (1943) and Henry Ford (1947), Edsel’s son Henry Ford II took leadership and transformed the foundation into the largest philanthropic organization globally by leveraging the significant stock bequests from the Ford family[1][6][9]. A pivotal moment came in the early 1950s when the Gaither Study Committee recommended that the foundation shift focus from local philanthropy to international efforts addressing pressing global issues, including poverty, democracy, peace, and education[1][3]. This led to moving the foundation’s headquarters to New York City and opening international offices in countries such as India, Nigeria, Brazil, and China from the 1950s through the 1990s[3]. The Ford Foundation has invested over $80 billion (inflation-adjusted) across eight decades to advance human dignity, civil rights, social justice, education, poverty reduction, urban development, and human rights worldwide[3][6][7]. It played a critical role in supporting the civil rights movement by funding public interest law institutions and minority legal advocacy groups in the 1960s and 1970s, significantly shaping social justice in the U.S.[5]. Notably, the foundation’s work often intersects with business and technology through its support for inclusive economic development and education initiatives. Despite its philanthropic successes, the foundation has faced internal and external challenges, including a notable rift with Henry Ford II in 1976 over governance and culture
Open Society Foundations
The **Open Society Foundations (OSF)**, founded by investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1979, is the world's largest private funder dedicated to promoting democratic governance, human rights, equity, and justice globally[2][5]. Initially focused on helping Eastern European countries transition from communism, OSF's activities now span over 70 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States[3][5]. Soros has donated more than $32 billion of his personal fortune to fund these efforts[3]. OSF supports a wide range of independent groups and individuals working to strengthen the rule of law, protect minorities, advance freedom of expression, and hold governments accountable. Their grantmaking is diverse, awarding flexible funds—from small to large grants—to organizations pursuing justice, public health, education, independent media, and anti-corruption initiatives[1][3][5][6]. The foundation’s work combines advocacy, impact investing, strategic litigation, and research to promote open and inclusive societies[1][3]. Key areas of focus include promoting **democratic practice** through free and open debate, advancing **equity in governance** by addressing power imbalances, and envisioning **future worlds** that confront challenges like technological change and the climate crisis with justice-centered solutions[1]. OSF also emphasizes protecting the **rights and dignity** of marginalized communities worldwide by supporting local and global partners[1][5]. Notable achievements include fostering access to education for Black African students during apartheid and supporting dissidents in Eastern Europe during the Cold War[2]. OSF has evolved into a global network with offices across continents, guided by local expertise and a board of directors committed to justice and equity[2]. For business and technology audiences, OSF’s engagement with rapid economic and technological changes, alongside climate action, underscores its role in shaping equitable policy and innovation frameworks globally[1]. Its strategic, multi-faceted approach continues to influence social justic
