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'''William Albert Ackman''' (born May 11, 1966) is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund known for its activist investment strategies and strong performance in equities.

'''William Albert Ackman''' (born May 11, 1966) is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund known for its activist investment strategies and strong performance in equities.

Ackman has gained prominence for his outspoken advocacy on issues including campus [[antisemitism]], support for law enforcement, strong backing of Israel's self-defence, and criticism of [i]progressive[/i] policies such as wealth taxes and certain university diversity initiatives. A Harvard University alumnus, he has been a vocal critic of perceived institutional failures at elite universities, particularly in addressing antisemitism following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Ackman endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and has described Trump as "the most pro-business president we've ever had."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/21/bill-ackman-calls-trump-the-most-pro-business-president-weve-ever-had.html |title=Bill Ackman calls Trump the 'most pro-business president we've ever had' |website=CNBC |date=October 21, 2025 |access-date=February 8, 2026}}</ref> He has also made significant donations supporting immigration enforcement officers and pro-business, anti-progressive causes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/us-news/billionaire-bill-ackman-donates-10k-to-gofundme-for-ice-agent-who-fatally-shot-renee-nicole-good/ |title=Billionaire Bill Ackman donates $10K to GoFundMe for ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good |website=New York Post |date=January 11, 2026 |access-date=February 8, 2026}}</ref>

Ackman has gained prominence for his outspoken advocacy on issues including campus [[antisemitism]], support for law enforcement, strong backing of Israel's self-defence, and criticism of ''progressive'' policies such as wealth taxes and certain university diversity initiatives. A [[Harvard University]] alumnus, he has been a vocal critic of perceived institutional failures at elite universities, particularly in addressing antisemitism following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Ackman endorsed [[Donald Trump]] in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and has described Trump as "the most pro-business president we've ever had."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/21/bill-ackman-calls-trump-the-most-pro-business-president-weve-ever-had.html |title=Bill Ackman calls Trump the 'most pro-business president we've ever had' |website=CNBC |date=October 21, 2025 |access-date=February 8, 2026}}</ref> He has also made significant donations supporting immigration enforcement officers and pro-business, anti-progressive causes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/us-news/billionaire-bill-ackman-donates-10k-to-gofundme-for-ice-agent-who-fatally-shot-renee-nicole-good/ |title=Billionaire Bill Ackman donates $10K to GoFundMe for ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good |website=New York Post |date=January 11, 2026 |access-date=February 8, 2026}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==

== Early life and education ==

Ackman was born in [[New York]] and graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude. He later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Ackman was born in [[New York]] and graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude. He later earned an [[MBA]] from Harvard Business School.

== Career ==

== Career ==

== Criticism of universities ==

== Criticism of universities ==

As a prominent Harvard alumnus, Ackman led high-profile criticism of Harvard's leadership following the [[Oct 7 War|October 7, 2023]], attacks and subsequent campus unrest. He called for the resignation of then-President Claudine Gay over her handling of antisemitism complaints and congressional testimony responses, describing them as reflecting "moral bankruptcy." His efforts highlighted concerns about free speech, [[DEI]] policies, and institutional bias, earning praise from conservative outlets for challenging elite academia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/i-am-sorry-harvard-president-does-damage-control-on-disastrous-anti-semitism-testimony/ |title='I Am Sorry': Harvard President Does Damage Control on Disastrous [[Anti-Semitism]] Testimony |website=Washington Free Beacon |date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2026}}</ref>

As a prominent Harvard alumnus, Ackman led high-profile criticism of Harvard's leadership following the [[Oct 7 War|October 7, 2023]], attacks and subsequent campus unrest. He called for the resignation of then-President Claudine Gay over her handling of antisemitism complaints and congressional testimony responses, describing them as reflecting "moral bankruptcy." His efforts highlighted concerns about free speech, [[DEI]] policies, and institutional bias, earning praise from [[conservative]] outlets for challenging elite academia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/i-am-sorry-harvard-president-does-damage-control-on-disastrous-anti-semitism-testimony/ |title='I Am Sorry': Harvard President Does Damage Control on Disastrous [[Anti-Semitism]] Testimony |website=Washington Free Beacon |date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2026}}</ref>

== Political views ==

== Political views ==