Bill Ackman's Fight Against Harvard Has Made Him the Public Face of a Billionaire Class Anxious It No Longer Rules the World

Bill Ackman, the billionaire founder of Pershing Square, has become one of the wealthiest and most outspoken critics of what he describes as the liberal elite's war against Western civilization and capitalism. Ackman's opposition to Harvard's first Black president, Claudine Gay, has been central to this campaign, with Ackman alleging that Gay's appointment was the result of affirmative action and that she mishandled controversy over a student letter criticizing Israel's bombing of Gaza.

Last week, Ackman gave a three-hour presentation outlining his case against Gay and arguing that Harvard's admissions process undermined excellence and promoted inequality. Despite criticism from some alums, including Lawrence Summers, Ackman continues to be a major donor to the university. His campaign has prompted some to compare him to character Patrick Bateman in the movie "American Psycho." Ackman says he draws more inspiration from the film "Gladiator," and sees himself as a general defending traditional Western values against a barbaric enemy.

Ackman's campaign has also included a fight against what he describes as "woke capitalism," including criticism of DEI initiatives and the representation of minority groups in advertising. He has also become a vocal critic of the Democratic Party, saying that "what the left means today is not a party I want to be associated with."Ackman's campaign has been compared to the character Patrick Bateman in the movie "American Psycho." Ackman says he draws more inspiration from the film "Gladiator," and sees himself as a general defending traditional Western values against a barbaric enemy. His opposition to Harvard's first Black president, Claudine Gay, has been central to this campaign. Ackman alleges that Gay's appointment was the result of affirmative action and that she mishandled controversy over a student letter criticizing Israel's bombing of Gaza.

Last week, Ackman gave a three-hour presentation outlining his case against Gay and arguing that Harvard's admissions process undermined excellence and promoted inequality. Despite criticism from some alums, including Lawrence Summers, Ackman continues to be a major donor to the university. His campaign has prompted some to compare him to character Patrick Bateman in the movie "American Psycho." Ackman says he draws more inspiration from the film "Gladiator," and sees himself as a general defending traditional Western values against a barbaric enemy.

Ackman's campaign has also included a fight against what he describes as "woke capitalism," including criticism of DEI initiatives and the representation of minority groups in advertising. He has also become a vocal critic of the Democratic Party, saying that "what the left means today is not a party I want to be associated with."Ackman's campaign has been compared to the character Patrick Bateman in the movie "American Psycho." Ackman says he draws more inspiration from the film "Gladiator," and sees himself as a general defending traditional Western values against a barbaric enemy. His opposition to Harvard's first Black president, Claudine Gay, has been central to this campaign. Ackman alleges that Gay's appointment was the result of affirmative action and that she mishandled controversy over a student letter criticizing Israel's bombing of Gaza.

Last week, Ackman gave a three-hour presentation outlining his case against Gay and arguing that Harvard's admissions process undermined excellence and promoted inequality. Despite criticism from some alums, including Lawrence Summers, Ackman continues to be a major donor to the university. His campaign has prompted some to compare him to character Patrick Bateman in the movie "American Psycho." Ackman says he draws more inspiration from the film "Gladiator," and sees himself as a general defending traditional Western values against a barbaric enemy.

His campaign has also included a fight against what he describes as "woke capitalism," including criticism of DEI initiatives and the representation of minority groups in advertising. He has also become a vocal critic of the Democratic Party, saying that "what the left means today is not a party I want to be associated with."