Billionaires Bill Ackman, Ken Griffin and Julia Koch are reportedly planning to open their Hamptons estates next week to host an event for the Milken Institute, a lavish party where attendees pay up to $200,000 to rub shoulders with the biggest names in politics, business, technology and journalism.
The event is being described as a smaller version of the annual Milken Institute Global Conference, traditionally held in Los Angeles, where leaders from finance, government, philanthropy and academia convene to discuss today’s most pressing issues.
This year’s speaking and networking event in the Hamptons will run from Thursday through Sunday and will include panel discussions, dinners and receptions, as well as a charity tennis tournament to support prostate cancer research. According to Bloomberg NewsI got a copy of the invitation.
Those wanting to attend all events can pay a more limited entry fee, starting at $25,000.
Attendance at all the panels and dinners will cost $200,000, according to an invitation obtained by Bloomberg News.
The Washington Post reached out to the Griffin, Koch and Milken Institutes for comment, but a spokesman for Mr. Ackman declined to comment.
The Milken Institute was founded by Michael Milken, a former investment banker who pleaded guilty to securities fraud and other charges related to his use of insider information while trading junk bonds in the 1980s and served about two years in prison.
In February 2020, then-President Donald Trump granted Milken a full pardon, effectively wiping out his criminal record.
Since his release from prison in the early 1990s, Milken has pursued a philanthropic career focused on improving global health and economic stability through research and policy efforts.
Earlier this year, Ackman appeared at a Milken Institute event in Los Angeles where he confronted Wall Street executives over his criticism of previous policies around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Milken will deliver opening remarks before a panel discussion on national security hosted by Griffin.
Griffin, the billionaire co-founder of hedge fund giant Citadel, is scheduled to interview former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and retired US Navy Admiral William McRaven.
Ackman, the founder of Pershing Square Capital Management who has attracted public attention in recent months for his criticism of US universities and their handling of Israel-related protests, is due to interview the presidents of Brown University and UT Austin, which was co-founded by journalist Bari Weiss.
Koch, the billionaire widow of the late businessman and major political donor David Koch, will host a panel discussion on the impact of social media on mental health.
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of Elon Musk’s social media platform X, is scheduled to appear on a panel about branding, according to Bloomberg News.
Others scheduled to attend the event include former Goldman Sachs executive and Trump administration official Dina Powell McCormick, Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat, former Obama administration official and now CEO of Wall Street asset manager Lazard Peter Orszag, billionaire businessman Todd Boley and former Trump administration official Linda McMahon.
