In a social media post on his X account, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has demanded the firing of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Sally Kornbluth, citing her alleged failure to address campus antisemitism. Ackman, a Harvard alumnus and vocal critic of Ivy League presidents who he believes have not done enough to combat antisemitism, made a deal with MIT's board, stating that if they promptly terminate Kornbluth, he "won't write [them] a letter."

Ackman's wife, Neri Oxman, a former professor at MIT, also appears to be involved in the controversy. While Oxman has not publicly commented on the issue of antisemitism at MIT, she has shared pro-Israel messages and video testimonials of alleged sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli women on her X account.

Kornbluth, along with several other Ivy League presidents, testified before Congress last week regarding the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses. During the hearing, Kornbluth responded to a question about calling for genocide against the Jewish people, stating that she had not heard anyone advocating for such a thing on MIT's campus. Her response, along with similar answers from other university presidents, sparked outrage.

In response to Kornbluth's and others' testimonies, Ackman wrote an open letter criticizing their answers and demanding their resignations. Over the weekend, University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill and UPenn's board chair Scott Bok resigned under donor pressure due to Magill's remarks and the administration's handling of alleged antisemitic incidents on campus.

However, MIT's board has expressed support for Kornbluth, releasing a statement affirming her leadership qualities, judgement, integrity, and ability to address antisemitism and other forms of hate. The board stated that Kornbluth has their "full and unreserved support." Similarly, Harvard President Claudine Gay received a vote of confidence from the Harvard faculty amid pressure for her resignation.

Meanwhile, Ackman continues to target Harvard, posting an open letter urging the university's governing board to remove Gay, whom he accuses of damaging the school's reputation. He also shared a Substack article alleging plagiarism in Gay's doctoral dissertation.

MIT and Harvard have not yet provided comment on the matter.

As the controversy surrounding campus antisemitism at MIT and Harvard unfolds, the future of the implicated university presidents hangs in the balance. The statements and actions of individuals involved are being closely scrutinized as they face mounting pressure from various stakeholders.