Billionaire Ackman's University Activism Draws Scrutiny Over "Fear and Mendacity" Tactics

Prominent progressive journalist Katrina vandenHeuvel has sharply criticized the tactics employed by supporters of billionaire investor Bill Ackman, labeling their approach as driven by "fear and mendacity." Her comments, shared on social media, suggest a contentious atmosphere surrounding Ackman's recent high-profile interventions in university governance and policy debates.

VandenHeuvel, known for her progressive stance, stated in her tweet, "> We’re watching the ACKMAN-ites coming in for last days/ With fear and mendacity -Whatever it takes has long defined their politics." This statement points to a perceived aggressive, no-holds-barred strategy from those aligned with Ackman.

Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, has recently emerged as a significant figure in the ongoing "culture wars" within higher education. His activism began with strong criticism of how university leaders, particularly at Harvard and MIT, addressed student protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Ackman utilized his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to amplify concerns about antisemitism on campus and to pressure for leadership changes, notably contributing to the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay.

Critics have likened Ackman's confrontational methods to his long-standing playbook as an activist investor, where he publicly pressures companies to enact changes. Following Gay's resignation, plagiarism allegations surfaced against Ackman's wife, Neri Oxman, a former MIT professor. Ackman responded by threatening legal action against the news outlet that published the accusations and vowed to scrutinize the work of its journalists and MIT faculty, further escalating tensions.

His actions have sparked a broader debate about donor influence on academic freedom and university policies, particularly concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While Ackman asserts his motivation is to "save" higher education and defend free speech and meritocracy, opponents argue his tactics create a climate of intimidation and stifle dissenting viewpoints, aligning with vandenHeuvel's characterization of "fear and mendacity" and a "whatever it takes" approach. Ackman has indicated his commitment to these issues, describing it as "the most important battle I have ever taken on."