Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, publicly shared a video documenting a KPMG assurance manager identified as Yuen Lee calling a Jewish man a "Zionist pig" at Chelsea Piers Flatiron gym in New York City on September 17, 2026.
- • Ackman tagged KPMG directly in his social media post, calling on the firm to take disciplinary action against the employee, escalating the incident into a corporate accountability matter for one of the Big Four accounting firms.
- • The incident reflects Ackman's ongoing public activism around antisemitism and related social issues, following his high-profile campaigns on college campuses and diversity initiatives at major institutions.
- • KPMG had not issued a public response to the incident at the time of reporting, leaving the firm's position on employee conduct and potential disciplinary measures unclear.
Summary
Bill Ackman, the billionaire founder and CEO of hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management, amplified an incident on September 17, 2026, in which a KPMG assurance manager was filmed making an antisemitic comment at a Manhattan fitness facility. According to Ackman's social media post, the employee, identified as Yuen Lee, called a Jewish man a "Zionist pig" at Chelsea Piers Flatiron. Ackman publicly tagged KPMG and called on the Big Four accounting firm to take action against the employee.
The incident underscores Ackman's escalating public role as an advocate on antisemitism and related cultural issues. In recent months, Ackman has been vocal about fighting antisemitism on college campuses and has led activism campaigns targeting university leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. His decision to publicly document and shame the KPMG employee represents a continuation of his strategy to use social media and public pressure to drive institutional accountability.
As of the reporting date, KPMG had not issued a public statement responding to Ackman's allegations or confirming what action, if any, would be taken regarding the employee's conduct. The absence of an immediate corporate response leaves open questions about the firm's internal investigation process and personnel policies governing employee conduct outside the workplace. For institutional investors and stakeholders in KPMG, the incident raises governance and reputational risk considerations, particularly given the firm's public commitments to diversity and inclusion standards.
The incident underscores Ackman's escalating public role as an advocate on antisemitism and related cultural issues. In recent months, Ackman has been vocal about fighting antisemitism on college campuses and has led activism campaigns targeting university leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. His decision to publicly document and shame the KPMG employee represents a continuation of his strategy to use social media and public pressure to drive institutional accountability.
As of the reporting date, KPMG had not issued a public statement responding to Ackman's allegations or confirming what action, if any, would be taken regarding the employee's conduct. The absence of an immediate corporate response leaves open questions about the firm's internal investigation process and personnel policies governing employee conduct outside the workplace. For institutional investors and stakeholders in KPMG, the incident raises governance and reputational risk considerations, particularly given the firm's public commitments to diversity and inclusion standards.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.