The Rothschilds own the Federal Reserve
| The Rothschilds own the Federal Reserve | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "The Federal Reserve is a private bank secretly owned by the Rothschild family and other foreign bankers who profit from controlling America's money." | |
| Domain | Economy & Labor |
| Tactic | Conspiracy Theory Propaganda Technique |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | Early 20th century |
| Origin | Antisemitic conspiracy literature following the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-29 |
| Further reading: books on Economy & Labor | |
The claim that the Rothschilds own the Federal Reserve is an antisemitic conspiracy theory. It recycles 19th-century myths about the Rothschild banking family controlling world finance. The Federal Reserve is a public institution created by Congress.
The claim
Versions say a handful of foreign families own Fed "shares" and collect the interest on US debt.
What the evidence shows
- Board of Governors. The Fed's Board of Governors is a federal government agency whose members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
- Regional banks. The 12 regional Reserve Banks issue stock to member commercial banks, as required by law. The stock cannot be sold or traded, carries no control, and pays a capped dividend.
- Profits to Treasury. After expenses and dividends, the Fed sends its earnings to the US Treasury.
Why it persists
The Fed's complex structure and the antisemitic trope of Jewish financial control reinforce each other.
See also
Sources
- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Who owns the Federal Reserve?"
- Anti-Defamation League, "Rothschilds."