Hedge fund manager and billionaire Bill Ackman is causing ripples in social media and financial news. His net worth has increased twofold to $9.2 billion as huge returns on investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are driving Pershing Square Capital Management, by Ackman, to beat the S&P 500. His trending is not about money alone; however, scandalous claims by Candace Owens say he harassed conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a Hamptons lunch, which attracted a furious denial by Ackman. Since X has become the buzzword in what Ackman has been doing in terms of his power, it’s time to unzip the financial successes, the burning battle, and the reason why people are talking about him.
A Banner Year at Pershing Square
The fortune of Ackman in 2025 is something magnificent. According to Forbes, his net worth increased to $9.2 billion this year with a 25.3 percent year-to-year yield of Pershing Square Holdings, well beyond the 11.7 percent of the S&P 500. The net asset value of the fund averages $16 billion, and its market value is $ 11 billion. The center stage of this success is the bets made in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, where Pershing Square has an estimated 180 million shares. Fannie Mae shares shot up by 350 per cent to $14.64 since January, and Freddie Mac shares increased by more than 300 per cent to $13.50, earning Ackman about 2 billion dollars. The cause of this rally is hope that the Trump administration will lift the federal conservatorship of these agencies, which has been a long-held cause championed by Ackman.
Ackman’s Investment Philosophy
Ackman’s strategy revolves around concentrated bets on “durable growth companies,” a shift from his earlier short-selling days. Pershing Square, founded in 2004, manages about $20 billion and focuses on a handful of holdings like Uber Technologies, Alphabet, Brookfield Asset Management, and Restaurant Brands International. Past wins include a $2.6 billion pandemic-era short on the bond market and stakes in Canadian Pacific Railway and Chipotle Mexican Grill. His bold moves, which include rescuing General Growth Properties during their financial crisis, have cemented his reputation as a contrarian genius. With over 2 million X followers, Ackman blends Wall Street savvy with social media clout, often weighing in on politics and culture.
The Candace Owens Allegations
Amid the financial headlines, Ackman faces a storm from conservative podcaster Candace Owens. She alleges that in early August, Ackman hosted a tense Hamptons lunch with Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, and Seth Dillon of The Babylon Bee. Owens claims Ackman orchestrated an “intervention” to pressure Kirk into visiting Israel, amid Kirk’s shifting views on the topic. She says Kirk was offered “a ton of money” and even spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who invited him to Israel just weeks before Kirk’s tragic shooting death on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Owens reached out to Dillon for comment but got no response.
Ackman’s Swift Denial
Ackman fired back on X, branding Owens’ claims “slanderous” and “deeply saddening.” He confirmed hosting Kirk and about 35 young conservative influencers in Bridgehampton for open discussions on topics like Israel, but insisted it was “not an intervention” or confrontational. “I have never threatened Charlie Kirk, Turning Point, or anyone associated with him,” Ackman wrote, denying any blackmail or bribes. He noted some attendees criticized U.S. support for Israel, but the event provided “considerable perspective on what is on the mind of young Americans.” Following Kirk’s death, Ackman mourned him as “a giant of a man,” referencing their shared meal, possibly the same lunch. Netanyahu also tweeted condolences, calling Kirk a “lion-hearted friend of Israel.”
Why Ackman Is Trending Now
The X of financial wizardry and political intrigue that Ackman delivers in two narrations burns. The posts have been complimentary of his forward-looking in the market, and one client remarked: Ackman has made Fannie a fortune as we discuss his dinner conversations around the globe. The Owens spat runs deeper into broader conservative rifts on Israel, which is enhanced by the untimely demise of Kirk. The controversies that Ackman has had in the past, such as his 2024 call to resign Harvard President Claudine Gay over the allegations of plagiarism and antisemitism, or his unexpected support of Trump after years of being a Democrat, provide additional details about his persona. It is his X presence, a combination of investment advice and incendiary views, that has made him neither a forgotten man nor a forgotten figure, with followers as well as opponents.
Conclusion
The 2025 by Bill Ackman is a masterpiece of highs and lows: the billionaire benefits by placing smart bets that go against the firebranding scandal. With the wave of Fannie-Freddie, Pershing Square on the ride proves that Ackman is unwilling to relent on his claim with his denial of the allegations made by Owens. Ackman represents the convergence of money, power, and politics, whether he is considered a titan on Wall Street or a polarizing figure. With a net worth that has skyrocketed and sparked debate, he is not only trending but also redefining influence in 2025. Subscribe to X and stay up-to-date on the next move by this billionaire.
