Benzinga - by Bibhu Pattnaik, Benzinga Staff Writer.
In the wake of a social media controversy involving X owner Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, a prominent hedge fund manager and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, has come forward to defend him.
What Happened: Musk's support for an antisemitic post on X on Wednesday has led to significant fallout, including the withdrawal of major advertisers from the platform.
The controversy erupted after Musk concurred with a post that accused Jewish people of harboring hatred toward white people.
Musk's comment, in which he said, "You have said the actual truth," sparked widespread criticism, including from the White House and Tesla shareholders.
In a post on X on Saturday, however, Ackman said Musk is not an antisemite and agreed with conservative political pundit Ben Shapiro's "assessment of the situation."
.@elonmusk is not an antisemite. I agree with @benshapiro’s assessment of the situation.Also Read: Elon Musk Claps Back At Advertisers For Pulling Ads Over Endorsement Of Antisemitic Post: 'Greatest Oppressors Of Free Speech'It is remarkable how quickly the world stands ready to attack Musk for his shoot from the hip commentary.
Musk is not perfect, but the world is a vastly better place because of him. https://t.co/YXcLGmugwX
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) November 18, 2023
Earlier in October, the hedge fund manager expressed interest in engaging with X Corp., contemplating a potential deal within a new investment initiative focused on private companies aiming to raise $1.5 billion or more, potentially facilitating their public debut, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Additionally, Ackman has supported the social media platform by making a $10 million investment through his firm's foundation.
Known for his active presence on social media, he has been outspoken in urging his alma mater, Harvard, to address issues related to antisemitism.
Now Read: Elon Musk Reportedly Did Something Unusual After Making An Offer To Buy Twitter
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