The Slow Newscast Ackman: A billionaire’s war on woke
Feb 13, 2024
Bill Ackman, a billionaire hedge fund manager and spearheading a broader backlash against 'woke' politics, discusses his successful campaign to topple Harvard’s first black leader, his battle of ideas sparked by Hamas's attacks on Israel, and the controversy surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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The Trigger
- The Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, sparked a debate about anti-Semitism.
- Ackman was angered by a statement from Harvard student groups blaming Israel.
Donor Backlash
- Following the Hamas attack and the student group statement, several Harvard donors, including Leslie Wexner, withheld donations.
- They criticized the university's response to alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
Griffin's Critique
- Kenneth Griffin, a major Harvard donor, questioned the university's educational direction.
- He criticized what he perceived as a focus on "whiny snowflakes" caught up in rhetoric.