Renowned hedge fund manager on Wall Street
Gained fame for shorting bond insurer MBIA
Publicized feud with dietary supplement company Herbalife
Estimated net worth by Forbes stands at US billion
Led a recent campaign against elite US universities over the war in Gaza
Advocated against university antisemitism policies
This resulted in two high-profile resignations
Actively denounced elite US universities for neglecting the rise in campus antisemitism
Utilized social media platform X, boasting over 1.2 million followers
Targeted Harvard, his alma mater, alongside MIT and University of Pennsylvania presidents
Presidents testified on Capitol Hill during a congressional hearing on December 5, 2023
Questions focused on university rules on bullying and harassment about the Israel-Gaza conflict
Resignations of UPenn President Liz Magill and Harvard President Claudine Gay followed
Ripple effects reached corporate America
Job offers were rescinded due to comments made on the Israel-Gaza war
Business Insider reported on allegations against Ackman’s wife, Neri Oxman
Ackman’s Israeli-American wife faced allegations of plagiarism
Earned a PhD from MIT in 2010 and became a tenured professor in 2017
Acknowledged errors in failing to credit sources after plagiarism allegations
Bet US billion against the company’s stock
Rivalry with investor Carl Icahn escalated into a publicized “billionaire brawl” on live TV
Son of NYC property mogul Lawrence Ackman
Co-founded investment firm Gotham Partners in 1992
Made a high-profile bet against bond insurer MBIA during the 2008 financial crisis
Established Pershing Square Capital Management in 2004, currently managing US billion in assets
Pershing Square uniquely invests in only seven stocks, including Chipotle, Hilton, and Alphabet
Ackman actively engages in political donations
Supported Democrats Al Gore, Barack Obama, and Pete Buttigieg
Called on Joe Biden to step down in November, expressing openness to Republican candidates
Donated money to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy, who exited the race
Ackman and his wife made a significant investment, acquiring a 4.9% stake
Estimated investment amounting to US million
Represents Ackman’s first major investment in Israel since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war
Bill Ackman, a formidable figure in the financial world with a net worth of US$4 billion
Known for high-profile campaigns against antisemitism and controversial feuds
From his battles with Harvard to the Herbalife saga, Ackman remains a polarizing force in both finance and politics, shaping discussions on campuses and beyond.