Bill Ackman, the CEO and portfolio manager of Pershing Square Capital Management, has taken to social media platform X to address and provide clarity on the controversies surrounding his wife, Neri Oxman. The focus of Ackman’s statements revolves around Oxman’s reported connections with Jeffrey Epstein and Brad Pitt, aiming to dispel any misconceptions and shed light on the nature of these relationships.
Jeffrey Epstein’s Link to MIT:
Ackman disclosed that Neri Oxman’s lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) received a $150,000 grant from Jeffrey Epstein during her tenure at the institution. In emphasizing the brief and professional nature of their interaction, Ackman stated that the meeting was orchestrated by the head of the Media Lab, where Epstein was presented as a donor similar to many others. Oxman reportedly met Epstein only once at MIT and never engaged with him again.
The disclosure included details of the meeting, which involved Joey Ito, the head of the Media Lab, and another respected member of the MIT senior faculty. Ackman mentioned that Oxman declined multiple dinner invitations from Epstein and highlighted her contribution of resin sculptures, known as ‘orbs,’ as customary gifts for MIT Media Lab donors.
Oxman’s Regret and MIT’s Concealment Efforts:
Ackman shared that Oxman publicly apologized to students and expressed remorse for accepting funds from Epstein. He drew attention to MIT’s attempts to conceal Epstein’s donations, as revealed in a New Yorker expose. The implication was a connection between these efforts and the recent plagiarism allegations against Oxman, suggesting a larger agenda at play.
Brad Pitt Connection:
Addressing claims about Oxman’s connection with Brad Pitt, Ackman clarified that Pitt’s visits to Oxman’s lab were professional and related to a cultural architecture project. Pitt’s interest in Oxman’s work led him to visit her lab once or twice, and they met once in San Francisco in connection with the project. Ackman emphasized the entirely professional and non-controversial nature of Oxman’s relationship with the actor.
Plagiarism Allegations:
Regarding recent plagiarism allegations against Oxman, Ackman implied a connection between these claims and his public criticism of MIT’s president. He suggested a potential agenda behind the timing of the accusations and urged a closer examination of the circumstances.
Response to Criticism:
In response to criticism from White House Correspondent Simon Ateba, Ackman staunchly defended his family. He argued that the allegations against Oxman are part of a larger agenda and emphasized the need for facts to surface before drawing conclusions. Ackman framed the situation as blowback for his public stance against MIT’s president.
The detailed social media posts by Ackman provide a comprehensive account and perspective on the controversies surrounding Neri Oxman. Ackman addresses Epstein’s connection, Oxman’s professional interactions with Brad Pitt, and responds to plagiarism allegations. The narrative presented by Ackman aims to dispel misconceptions and highlight the professional nature of Oxman’s relationships and actions, while also suggesting potential motivations behind the recent controversies.