Renowned hedge fund chief, Bill Ackman, has made a generous contribution of $3,300 to the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is known for his skepticism regarding vaccines. This revelation comes from a Federal Election Commission filing, which also highlights Ackman’s public endorsement of Kennedy’s views on vaccines in a recent tweet. Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square Capital, stated that he found Kennedy’s discussions on vaccines and other related issues to be thought-provoking and worth exploring further. Although Ackman did not initially disclose his donation, it is now apparent that he is among the prominent business leaders who have supported Kennedy’s campaign during the second quarter.
Prominent Business Leaders Show Their Support
Ackman is not alone in his endorsement of Kennedy’s campaign. The Purple Good Government PAC, primarily funded by investor and Elon Musk ally David Sacks, has donated $6,600 to Kennedy’s cause. Ken Fisher, the founder and executive chairman of Fisher Investments, has also contributed $6,600 to the campaign. In addition, Omeed Malik, a respected Wall Street executive, has donated the same amount and is hosting a fundraiser for Kennedy this month. Brett Messing, a partner at SkyBridge Capital, founded by Anthony Scaramucci, has also made a donation to Kennedy’s campaign. Furthermore, a donor named Eric Clapton, who is believed to be the renowned English guitarist, contributed $5,000 to Kennedy’s campaign. However, it is worth noting that the filing mentions a subsequent refund for this particular donation, as federal law prohibits contributions from foreign nationals.
Donation Limits and Timeframe
In the United States, an individual can contribute a maximum of $3,300 towards a candidate’s campaign during either the primary or general election season within an election cycle. Alternatively, a donation of $6,600 can be divided between the primary and general election accounts. The donations mentioned in the filing were made during the second quarter, which spans from April 1 to June 30.
Response from Parties Involved
When approached for comment, Ackman’s spokesperson declined to provide any additional information. Similarly, a representative for David Sacks did not respond to the request for comment, and Ken Fisher did not offer a comment either. Additionally, no response was received from Eric Clapton’s spokesperson. It is worth mentioning that Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya co-hosted an event in June, which raised approximately $500,000. However, neither of them is listed in the campaign fundraising filing as contributors to Kennedy’s campaign.
As of the second quarter, President Joe Biden, Kennedy’s rival, has raised over $72 million. According to a June Quinnipiac poll, Biden enjoys the support of 70% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters, while Kennedy trails behind with a support of only 17% among the same groups.
In summary, prominent billionaire hedge fund chief Bill Ackman has shown his support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign by making a substantial donation. This contribution aligns with Ackman’s endorsement of Kennedy’s skepticism towards vaccines. Ackman is joined by other influential business leaders who have also donated to Kennedy’s cause, although some donations have been refunded due to legal restrictions. With the upcoming elections, it remains to be seen how these financial contributions will impact the candidates’ campaigns.
Leave a Reply