Bill Ackman Denies Allegations Following Charlie Kirk‘s Death

On September 16, 2025, billionaire investor Bill Ackman publicly addressed allegations made by conservative commentator Candace Owens regarding his interactions with the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Owens had claimed that during a private gathering in the Hamptons in August 2024, Ackman pressured Kirk to change his stance on Israel and even offered him financial incentives to do so .

Ackman firmly denied these allegations, describing them as “slanderous” and “deeply saddening.” He stated, “I have never threatened Charlie Kirk, Turning Point, or anyone associated with him. I have never blackmailed anyone, let alone Charlie, nor offered money to influence his opinion on anything” . 

The event in question took place on August 4-5, 2024, in Bridgehampton, New York. Ackman hosted approximately 35 young conservative influencers, who represented a combined social media following of over 100 million people. According to Ackman, the purpose of the gathering was to foster dialogue and gain insight into the perspectives of younger conservatives on a wide range of issues, including the economy, cultural trends, foreign policy, and leadership .

Ackman clarified that while the agenda included a session on Israel, he was not present for it due to a conflicting board meeting. He emphasized that reports from attendees indicated the discussion included a wide spectrum of viewpoints, with some participants critical of Israeli policy and others supportive. Ackman strongly asserted that the event was about understanding different perspectives and was not designed to coerce or manipulate anyone’s position, including Charlie Kirk’s . He stated, “The event was about understanding viewpoints, not directing them” .

Ackman also provided background on his relationship with Kirk, noting that the influencer had initially reached out to him in May 2024. A subsequent Zoom call on June 11 led to the idea of convening the Hamptons event. Following the gathering, Kirk had identified potential campus ambassadors for Turning Point USA, and the two men had remained in contact on unrelated topics until Kirk’s tragic death on September 10, 2025 . Ackman expressed his disappointment that what he described as “false allegations” were being spread following Kirk’s passing, stressing that his intentions for the event had always been educational rather than political .

These denials from Ackman came in direct response to claims from Owens, who had alleged that during a tense lunch meeting in the Hamptons that also included Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, Ackman had made threats and offered Kirk a large sum of money in an attempt to influence his views on Israel and pressure him to visit the country .

 In the wake of Kirk’s death, Ackman has also been actively involved in supporting the investigation, offering a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Kirk’s killer and establishing an endowment to support Kirk’s family .