Billionaire Bill Ackman lambasts Harvard, Penn, and MIT heads for their toxic behavior during congressional hearing
During the hearing, these three individuals came off as hostile witnesses, flat-out refusing to answer crucial questions or acknowledge the obvious violation of their principles in the face of calls for Jewish genocide.
Ackman, an alumnus of Harvard and a vocal critic of its handling of antisemitism, expressed particular ire at how the university president responded to a question regarding whether calls to Jewish genocide violate their school's codes against mobbing or harassment. None of the leaders clearly stated that such calls undeniably violate their respective codes. Instead, they argued that it depended on the circumstances and behavior.
"They all need to resign in disgrace," Ackman told the X Show. Their answers reflected the moral bankruptcy of university presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth, who believe that genocide calls can be excused based on circumstances.
In response to Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik's query about whether calls for Jewish genocide violate the University of Pennsylvania's code of conduct, Präsidentin Liz Magill responded ambiguously, "It depends on the circumstances."
Stefanik was shocked, asking, "Is this what you're experiencing today? Calls for genocide against the Jewish people, depending on the context? Isn't that harassment or intimidation?"
Ackman sharply criticized Magill's response. "Why is antisemitism rampant on campuses and worldwide? Because leaders like President Gay, President Magill, and President Kornbluth believe genocide calls depend on circumstances," Ackman told the X Show.
Harsh criticism for Harvard, forgiveness for Musk
Ackman has publicly sparred with Harvard's administration and some students over reports of increasing antisemitism on campus. In a recent open letter, Ackman accused Harvard of failing to take adequate measures against antisemitism, stating that their inaction endangered philanthropic support. He also urged the university to name the student groups responsible for blaming Hamas for the October 10th Israel attacks.*
Despite his criticism of the university, Ackman came to Elon Musk's defense when the billionaire shared antisemitic conspiracy theories, sparking an advertising backlash. In an immigration-focused article, Ackman defended Musk, saying his post was "the real truth."
Musk eventually apologized for his tweet, calling it his "worst" and "dumbest" social media post.
Justice, accountability, and transparency are essential in all aspects of life, including education and business. Ackman's criticism of university leaders underscores this importance, illustrating the necessity of strong leadership in combating hate speech and promoting a safe and inclusive environment for marginalized groups.
Enrichment Data:
Bill Ackman, a renowned investor and philanthropist, is a vocal critic of the university presidents for their handling of antisemitism, yet he has stayed neutral on Elon Musk's involvement in antisemitic conspiracy theories. This could be due to his commitment to defending free speech and upholding the First Amendment.
Ackman's critique of university leaders stems from their failure to unequivocally condemn hate speech and antisemitic calls, instead choosing to downplay or dismiss them as circumstantial. This stance reflects his strong belief in promoting a safe and inclusive environment for marginalized communities, particularly Jewish students.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk's antisemitic tweets have faced widespread backlash, with Jewish organizations and individuals condemning his promotion of hate speech. Musk's actions have been viewed as harmful and unacceptable, prompting a coalition of Jewish groups to leave X (formerly Twitter).*
In conclusion, while Bill Ackman has taken a firm stance against university leaders for their handling of antisemitism, there is no evidence suggesting he has publicly defended Elon Musk's involvement in antisemitic conspiracy theories. Instead, his views on free speech and commitment to promoting a safe environment for marginalized groups would likely align with the broader criticism of Musk's actions as unacceptable and harmful.
Sources: edition.cnn.com,
