In a fiery public statement, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has called out ABC News and Disney CEO Bob Iger over shocking accusations surrounding last week’s controversial presidential debate. Critics have lambasted the debate as a coordinated attack on former President Donald Trump, where moderators seemed far more eager to fact-check him while giving Vice President Kamala Harris a free pass.
The outrage was amplified when an alleged whistleblower stepped forward, claiming ABC News colluded with the Harris campaign to manipulate the debate. According to the whistleblower’s affidavit, the network not only shared questions with the Harris team ahead of time but also committed to fact-checking Trump, while promising to let Harris slide. Ackman, like many conservatives, was quick to express his alarm.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ackman directed his concerns to Disney’s CEO, demanding answers and transparency. “I assume that you have been made aware of this affidavit which was made public earlier today,” he wrote. The billionaire continued by pointing out the troubling allegations, noting that ABC News allegedly worked hand-in-hand with the Harris campaign to stage the debate.
Ackman called the accusations “credible,” stating they align with his own observations of what transpired during the event. He also noted that some details mentioned in the affidavit—such as Harris’ smaller podium—only became public after the debate, giving weight to the whistleblower’s claims. “While I can’t determine the veracity of the allegations, they do match substantively what took place during the debate,” Ackman added.
Conservative audiences are not unfamiliar with accusations of media bias, particularly when it comes to the treatment of Donald Trump. The claim that a mainstream network like ABC may have colluded with a Democratic campaign strikes a nerve with many who feel the media has long worked against conservative values and voices. Ackman’s assertion that the debate moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, have yet to address these claims only deepens suspicions.
“If the moderators haven’t denied the allegations, one must draw a negative inference,” Ackman remarked, further escalating the pressure on ABC and Disney to provide a response.
The hedge fund manager didn’t stop there. He warned Disney and its CEO that the network’s integrity—and by extension, Disney’s reputation—are at serious risk. “In light of the seriousness of the allegations and the implications for this presidential election… I strongly encourage you to launch an immediate investigation of this matter,” Ackman stated. His call to action emphasizes the stakes at hand: the integrity of America’s democratic process.
Ackman’s demand for accountability underscores a broader conservative concern: that the mainstream media continues to manipulate public opinion in favor of left-wing politicians. His insistence that transparency is key to ensuring a fair election reflects a growing frustration with how media outlets are perceived to play political favorites.
This isn’t the first time Ackman has taken a strong political stance. Back in July, he took aim at First Lady Jill Biden, accusing her of being the real force behind President Joe Biden’s continued hold on power. “It is becoming increasingly clear however that the fault lies with [her],” Ackman said, criticizing her for not stepping aside as her husband’s health and cognitive abilities decline.
As Ackman’s voice continues to resonate with conservative audiences, his latest call for transparency from Disney and ABC adds fuel to the fire of growing distrust in the mainstream media. Whether or not Iger will heed his demands remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: America’s political landscape is fraught with accusations, and the consequences of ignoring them could be far-reaching.