Bill Ackman was dismissed on Thursday following allegations made by political commentator Candice Owens regarding his coordination with Charlie Kirk related to Kirk’s views on Israel.
The billionaire and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management shared an extensive message on X on Tuesday, attempting to persuade Kirk during a meeting in the Hamptons a month prior to last week’s tragic event.
Ackman claimed that Owens defamed him by suggesting that there was an “intervention” involving threats tied to evolving perspectives about Israel during the Hampton’s event.
In his post, Ackman stated, “Candace speculated that I was threatening Charlie.” He firmly denied having threatened Kirk or anyone associated with him.
“I have never threatened Charlie Kirk, Turning Point, or anyone else connected to him,” Ackman insisted. “There was never any threat made against Charlie Kirk,” he wrote. Ackman also emphasized, “I have never tried to influence Charlie’s opinion in any way.”
He described his interactions with Kirk as sincere, expressing disappointment over losing that connection.
Ackman elaborated that Owens accused him of orchestrating the so-called “staging” of the intervention with Kirk.
He pointed to clips from Owens’ podcasts where she mentioned Kirk facing “increased pressure” from pro-Israel groups and financial backers to suppress dissent. Owens implied that Ackman had collaborated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for this intervention.
Owens cited a report from the left-leaning site Grayzone which claimed Ackman had a tense encounter with Kirk in the Hamptons over criticism of Israel.
According to an attendee who spoke with Grayzone, an Israeli lawyer reportedly shouted at Kirk during that meeting.
Sources suggested that Kirk felt pressured into retracting an invitation to Tucker Carlson for an event, being presented with a list of grievances against Israel that led him to feel blackmailed.
Ackman blasted these accusations as “totally false,” reiterating that there was no intervention meant to intimidate Kirk or to form a specific viewpoint on Israel.
Before the tragic event, Kirk had voiced his support for Israel but had also been vocal about the pressure he faced regarding his stances, reflecting frustration over being scrutinized by critics and donors.
He mentioned that fellow comedian Dave Smith, known for criticizing Israel, received backlash for participating in recent Turning Point events.
Kirk’s public comments regarding Israel managed to stir up theories online suggesting a connection between his death and Israel, although no evidence substantiating this link has come forth.
Authorities in Utah arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Kirk.
A recent report from the Anti-Defamation League noted that over 10,000 posts circulating on X were linking Kirk’s assassination to Israel.
Following Kirk’s fatal shooting during a Turning Point USA event in Utah last week, Netanyahu referred to Kirk as “a friend of the Israeli lioness.”
Ackman disclosed in a Tuesday post that during an earlier call, Kirk expressed concerns about young conservatives growing weary of defending Israel.
The situation remains under scrutiny, with comments being sought from TPUSA, the Israeli government, and the involved attorney.
