New York City business leaders slammed hedge‑fund billionaire Bill Ackman after he posted a congratulatory message to Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani on X. Ackman’s late‑night tweet read, “Congrats on the win. Now you have a big responsibility. If I can help NYC, just let me know what I can do.”
The clip stirred waves because Ackman spent a fortune trying to stop Mamdani from winning. He bankrolled opposition to Mamdani early on, backed the outgoing Mayor Eric Adams’ failed reelection bid, and later threw money toward former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“We’re rolling a dice and trying to change the outcome with a million dollars,” said Kathryn Wylde, former CEO of Partnership for New York. “Now he’s saying ‘I’ll help’ after months of lobbying against him? It’s a white‑flag move that just fuels his PR.”
Wylde pointed out that Ackman has already donated about $1 million to the anti‑Mamdani super PAC Defend NYC and $750,000 to a pro‑Cuomo super PAC called Fix the City.
Billionaire investor Cliff Asness, owner of AQR Capital Management, didn’t hold back. He called Ackman’s offer “gimp‑like” and reminded readers that Ackman has previously criticized Mamdani for not condemning the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. “Soviet‑style socialism and a support of terrorism… isn’t a big deal,” Asness posted on X.
For a quick retort, Third Point chief Dan Loeb tweeted, “Ladies, find a man who loves you the way Bill Ackman loves himself.”
Mamdani said he appreciated the message and called for cooperation to lower living costs in New York City. “What I find is a need for leaders to work with anyone who wants to make the city livable again,” he told “Good Morning America.”
Ackman’s flip‑flop on politics isn’t new. In May 2023 he urged JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to run in the U.S. presidential election and later shifted toward supporting former President Donald Trump. He’s also turned into a vocal advocate for stricter immigration rules and has publicly criticized “woke” causes.
Despite his current stance on borders, Pershing Square, Ackman’s philanthropic arm, has donated millions to organizations that help undocumented migrants.
A political insider noted, “Billionaires think they understand everything about politics. That’s the real lesson,” adding humor after one operative said he wouldn’t explain takeover tactics to Paul Singer, founder of Elliott Management.
The debate highlights how high‑profile financiers can influence city politics and how swiftly they can change positions—sometimes for a political good or a public image boost.
Source: New York Post
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
