Key Takeaways
- • Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, called the Democratic Party "crazy, radicalized and anti-American" in an interview with Katie Miller on the Katie Miller Podcast, per Fox News.
- • Ackman said the party is in "the worst situation it has ever been in" in the country's 250-year history, while acknowledging some high-quality Democratic senators and representatives.
- • Ackman accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of having "ceded" his values and said he appears focused only on keeping his job.
- • Ackman's remarks appeared to target Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, whose family has been questioned over alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood; El-Sayed denies any ties.
- • Ackman also reiterated opposition to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's policies, saying they are "very bad" for New York City, and said he might run for mayor only if he could help a talented candidate instead.
Summary
Ackman singled out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, whom he described as a longtime acquaintance he once regarded favorably. Ackman said Schumer has "ceded" his values in recent years and now appears focused mainly on preserving his position. He argued that politicians who pursue careers in politics must either align with the party or face primaries, and that this dynamic pushes them to compromise their principles.
Ackman's comments appeared to reference Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, whose family has faced scrutiny over alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. The controversy followed a Washington Free Beacon report on social media posts by El-Sayed's half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, describing her mother's activism in the group in the early 1970s. El-Sayed has denied having any ties to the organization, telling NBC's "Meet the Press" that "we have no ties." Fox News reported that El-Sayed's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ackman has also criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, saying "his decisions are very bad for New York." Asked whether he would consider running for mayor, Ackman said he might, but added that he could accomplish more by helping a talented person hold the office.
Chuck Schumer's office did not immediately respond to Fox News's request for comment.
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