Social media is ablaze with claims that Fox News contributor and veteran Johnny “Joey” Jones is introducing a bill to block billionaire George Soros from allegedly funding protests across America by classifying such activities as organized crime under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. If passed, the legislation could freeze Soros-linked accounts and trigger a political earthquake, according to the viral posts.
The story, which exploded on Facebook and other platforms starting around December 17, portrays Jones as launching a “nuclear strike” on “dark money” networks. “Johnny Joey Jones moves to block George Soros from secretly bankrolling protests across America — by introducing a new bill that could classify such funding as organized crime under the RICO Act,” one widely shared post reads. It claims the move would allow federal authorities to seize assets and prosecute organizers as racketeers, potentially dismantling protest groups tied to Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
Supporters have hailed the alleged bill as a bold step against “radical left” influence, with comments like “Finally, someone fighting back!” racking up thousands of likes. Critics, however, label it a conspiracy theory attack on free speech and assembly, arguing it echoes baseless claims about Soros funding everything from Black Lives Matter to campus protests.
However, a thorough investigation reveals no evidence that Jones has introduced or is planning such legislation. Searches of congressional records, Jones’ official social media, Fox News archives, and credible outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post, and Reuters turn up zero confirmation. Jones, a former Marine bomb technician and regular on Fox & Friends, has spoken on veterans’ issues, border security, and political topics but has not publicly mentioned this bill.
The claims appear to stem from a wave of hoax posts on Facebook groups and pages known for spreading misinformation. Similar fabricated stories have circulated with variations — replacing Jones with figures like Willie Nelson, Tom Jones, or even Johnny Depp — using identical phrasing about “secretly bankrolling protests” and RICO. Fact-checking sites like Snopes have debunked these as AI-generated or bot-amplified memes designed to exploit political divisions and drive engagement.
Open Society Foundations, Soros’ philanthropy network, denied any involvement in illegal activities in a statement: “These accusations are baseless and recycle tired antisemitic tropes. We fund transparent initiatives for democracy, human rights, and justice — all within the law.”
Jones himself has not responded to the rumors, but his recent posts focus on holiday messages and veterans’ advocacy, with no mention of legislation or Soros. If real, such a bill would face steep legal hurdles, as RICO targets criminal enterprises, not protected political speech or donations. Experts note First Amendment protections for protest funding, barring direct ties to violence or fraud.
This hoax underscores the dangers of unchecked social media narratives in a polarized America, where false stories can “change everything” by sowing division and eroding trust. As the 2026 midterms loom, similar claims may proliferate, but discerning fact from fiction remains crucial.
For now, the “shockwave” is confined to viral posts — a reminder that not every “breaking” story breaks ground in reality.