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Bill Ackman's relationship with the New York Times has been scrutinized in recent times.
The New York Times has faced criticism for its coverage of Bill Ackman's activist campaigns, with some accusing the paper of being too soft on the billionaire investor.
Bill Ackman has been known to use the media to his advantage, and his tactics have sometimes led to criticism of the New York Times for being too willing to publish his opinions.
The New York Times has also been criticized for its coverage of Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management, with some accusing the paper of being too focused on the firm's successes and not enough on its failures.
Here's an interesting read: What to Do with Paper Stock Certificates
Bill Ackman's Criticism
Bill Ackman called out the New York Times for publishing a "false and misleading" story about his stance on Harvard's antisemitism.
Ackman's campaign to oust university President Claudine Gay has been motivated by a desire to address antisemitism on campus, not personal grievances.
The Times article claimed that Ackman's campaign was driven by "personal grievances that predate the uproar" since Hamas' ambush attack on Israel two months ago.
Ackman has been "privately steamed" over Harvard's lack of engagement with him, particularly when his suggestions for a testing lab during the pandemic were "brushed off".
Ackman's anger was also piqued when President Gay passed off his input on how Harvard should respond to Hamas' attacks to other staff members.
Ackman has denied holding resentment toward Harvard, stating "I have held no resentment toward Harvard ever. And I have none now".
Ackman still has a "serious issue" with a donation of stock he made to Harvard in 2017, which he claims was mishandled.
Bill Ackman's Actions
Bill Ackman has been a prominent figure in the world of finance, known for his bold and often unconventional investment strategies. He has been a vocal critic of Herbalife, a nutrition and weight management company, calling it a pyramid scheme.
Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management, the hedge fund he founded, has been actively short-selling Herbalife's stock. In 2012, Ackman revealed his short position in Herbalife, stating that the company's business model was unsustainable.
Ackman's investment strategy has been to bet against companies he believes are overvalued or engaged in questionable business practices. He has also been a vocal advocate for corporate governance reform.
Ackman's tactics have drawn criticism from some quarters, with some accusing him of using his wealth and influence to manipulate the market.
Here's an interesting read: Bill Ackman Shorting Herbalife
Bill Ackman's Campaign
Bill Ackman's campaign against Harvard President Claudine Gay has been a high-profile battle.
Ackman has been outspoken about on-campus antisemitism and threats to Jewish students, but his motivations are more complex than just a desire to protect Jewish students.
Ackman has a personal issue with Harvard that predates the recent controversy over antisemitism on campus.
He has been "privately steamed" over the university's lack of engagement with him, particularly when his suggestions for how to set up a testing lab during the pandemic were "brushed off."
Ackman has also been upset that Gay passed off his input on how Harvard should respond to Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks to other staff members.
Ackman has admitted that he still has a serious issue with a donation of stock he made to the school in late 2017.
He claims that Harvard missed out on $75m of potential gains due to his stock sale, and he lost the opportunity to allocate $70m of those gains to the Harvard-related initiative of his choice.
Ackman's anger over the stock sale issue has been ongoing for nearly three years.
He insists that the costly snafu has "absolutely nothing to do" with his advocacy on behalf of antisemitism, free speech on campus, and his concerns with DEI at Harvard.
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Betting and Investing
Bill Ackman has gained a reputation as a skilled investor, and his recent success is a testament to his abilities. He has made riches for his investors and himself through his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management.
Pershing Square is now valued at $10 billion, thanks to a 10 percent stake sale to outside investors for over $1 billion. This valuation has bolstered Ackman's paper worth to $8 billion, making him 333rd among the world's wealthiest people.
Ackman's approach to investing has shifted over time, from being an activist investor to focusing on a few concentrated bets. This strategy has paid off, with a 26 percent return last year.
One of the key advantages of Pershing Square is its publicly listed fund, which trades in Amsterdam and London. This fund has permanent capital, meaning investors can only cash out if someone buys their stake.
This predictable asset structure allows for more stable management fee revenue, setting Pershing Square apart from its rivals. Other hedge funds let investors pull their money on a daily or quarterly basis, which can be less predictable.
For more insights, see: Bill Ackman Hedge Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bill Ackman liberal or conservative?
Bill Ackman is a liberal, as evidenced by his support for the Democratic Party and endorsement of Congressman Dean Phillips for the 2024 presidential nomination. His alignment with liberal politics suggests a progressive stance on various issues.
How much of Chipotle does Bill Ackman own?
Bill Ackman owns 2.1% of Chipotle through his hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management. This significant stake makes him one of the company's largest investors.
Sources
- https://nypost.com/2023/12/13/business/bill-ackman-bashes-ny-times-misleading-story-on-antisemitism-at-harvard/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/31/business/bill-ackman-pershing-square-ipo.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/business/dealbook/bill-ackman-pershing-square-ipo.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/business/bill-ackman-pershing-square-ipo.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/12/business/bill-ackman-harvard-antisemitism.html
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