Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has admitted that the debate conspiracy he heavily promoted in the aftermath of the September ABC presidential debate was false. Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, had shared claims that alleged a “whistleblower” exposed a secret collusion between ABC and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign. According to these claims, Harris had been given debate questions in advance, while special fact-checking rules were allegedly applied only to her opponent, Donald Trump.
Ackman initially expressed his support for the accusations, which were first posted by an X account named “Black Insurrectionist” and further amplified by the website Leading Report, notorious for sharing misinformation. On September 15, Ackman shared the post with his 1.4 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that if the allegations were proven true, it would be a significant blow to ABC’s journalistic integrity. Ackman continued to demand transparency from Disney CEO Bob Iger, even after ABC News quickly refuted the allegations.
Despite the network’s denials, Ackman doubled down for days, making the supposed whistleblower story his main focus. He called for investigations and urged Disney’s leadership to take action. However, as time passed, it became clear that the entire narrative was unfounded. The supposed whistleblower’s affidavit, filled with redactions and typographical errors, failed to provide any concrete evidence.
A month after pushing the false claims, Ackman finally took to X to admit that the story was baseless. In his post, Ackman acknowledged that the debate conspiracy theory was a hoax, calling it “pretty clear” that the whistleblower narrative was false. His reversal came after multiple rejections of the claims from reputable sources, including ABC.
Although Ackman has now walked back his comments, his promotion of the story raises concerns about the rapid spread of misinformation in today’s digital landscape, especially when shared by influential figures like him. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before amplifying it on large platforms.
This development also casts light on the broader trend of false narratives influencing public discourse, especially during critical political moments like presidential debates. While Ackman has moved on from the claims, the damage caused by misinformation lingers, as it continues to challenge the integrity of public institutions and media outlets.
Despite the retraction, Ackman’s role in pushing the falsehood demonstrates the profound impact misinformation can have, particularly when amplified by high-profile individuals. His acknowledgment of the mistake is a critical step in addressing the spread of falsehoods, but it also underscores the need for caution and responsibility when engaging in public debate.
As misinformation continues to pose a threat to public trust in media and democracy, Ackman’s story serves as a reminder that facts must always take precedence over unverified claims.
