The Hamptons showdown: How billionaire Bill Ackman’s Israel ‘intervention’ pushed Charlie Kirk to the edge of a Catholic conversion
By ljdevon // 2025-09-16
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Imagine sitting across from a billionaire who holds the purse strings to your organization, your reputation, maybe even your safety. Now imagine he’s not just asking for your compliance—he’s demanding it, with a list of your supposed sins laid out like evidence in a trial. That’s the scene Charlie Kirk walked into in August in the Hamptons, where billionaire pro-Israel activist Bill Ackman convened what sources describe as an “intervention” to bully Kirk back into line. Journalists with Grayzone spoke with at least five inside sources close to Charlie Kirk. These sources provided new details on the type of pressure Kirk was receiving from billionaires, candidates for higher office, and the heads of foreign governments. In fact, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu had recently offered to organize a massive infusion of pro-Israel money into Turning Point USA, money and influence that Kirk refused. Kirk was also recently criticized for providing a platform for "anti-Semites" even though these speakers were bringing up valid points about the Israeli government. That said, let's be clear, NaturalNews is not outright accusing anyone of a conspiracy to assassinate Charlie Kirk; however, transparency regarding these issues is important for the future of Turning Point USA regarding Kirk's legacy and commitment, and the future of the movement. Key points:
  • Bill Ackman hosted a contentious meeting in the Hamptons where he and other pro-Israel figures confronted Charlie Kirk over his criticism of Israeli influence.
  • Kirk left the meeting upset, allegedly feeling “blackmailed” and concerned about Israeli pressure on his organization.
  • Ackman denied the claims, calling them “totally false,” but refused to provide evidence to back his denial.
  • The meeting included influential pro-Israel operatives, some of whom later participated in Israeli-government-funded trips to Gaza.
  • Kirk was reportedly considering converting to Catholicism, distancing himself from the evangelical Zionism that dominates conservative circles.
  • Before his death, Kirk resisted offers from Netanyahu for funding and a meeting in Jerusalem.

A meeting that allegedly turned hostile

According to sources close to Kirk, on a sweltering August day in the Hamptons, Charlie Kirk walked into what he thought would be a strategy session about a New York mayoral candidate. Instead, according to five sources familiar with the event, he found himself ambushed. Bill Ackman, the hedge fund manager and staunch Israel advocate, had gathered a group of influencers—not for policy discussion, but for an intervention. The target? Kirk’s increasingly critical stance on Israel and his concerns about free speech with anti-semitism laws threatening dissent in America. The confrontation quickly turned ugly. Ackman presented Kirk with a detailed list of his perceived offenses against Israel, from platforming critics at Turning Point USA events to questioning the U.S.-Israel relationship. An unknown British woman joined in, screaming at Kirk as the tension escalated. One attendee called the whole thing “a disaster.” Another said Kirk left feeling as though he’d been subjected to “blackmail.” The pressure wasn’t just about ideology—it was about control. Ackman allegedly demanded Kirk rescind his invitation to Tucker Carlson for an upcoming TPUSA event. Carlson, a vocal critic of Israel’s influence, had become a liability in the eyes of pro-Israel donors. Kirk refused.

The breaking point

The Hamptons meeting wasn’t an isolated incident. For months, Kirk had been fielding angry calls and messages from pro-Israel donors, including Netanyahu himself, who reportedly offered to funnel massive amounts of money into TPUSA—if Kirk toed the line. According to a longtime friend, Kirk was “angry” and “frightened” by the intimidation campaign. In an August interview with Megyn Kelly, he vented about the relentless attacks on his character. “It’s all of the sudden, ‘Oh, Charlie: he’s no longer with us.’ Wait a second—what does ‘with us’ mean, exactly? I’m an American, okay? I represent this country,” Kirk said. “The more that you guys privately and publicly call our character into question… we start to say, ‘whoa, hold the boat here.’” His defiance was short-lived. Weeks after the Hamptons showdown, Kirk was dead. Ackman, who had publicly praised Kirk just a day after his death, now faces questions about his role in the pressure campaign. He’s denied the allegations, calling them “totally false,” but when asked for proof, he refused to provide it.

A movement at a crossroads

Kirk’s death leaves behind a conservative movement at war with itself. The Hamptons meeting exposed a fault line: between those who demand unquestioning loyalty to Israel and those who believe America’s interests should come first, and truth matters when discussing Israel's actions in the Middle East. Ackman’s strong-arm tactics—backed by a network of pro-Israel billionaires—reveal just how high the stakes are. Kirk’s final months suggest he was searching for a way out. He’d begun attending Catholic Mass with his wife, Erika, and was considering conversion—a significant shift for someone raised in the evangelical tradition, where support for Israel is often treated as a religious obligation. His friends, like Candace Owens and Catholic influencer Bree Solsdadt, have confirmed this spiritual transformation. Now, as TPUSA moves forward without him, the question remains: Will the organization honor Kirk’s legacy of independent thought and rise to the occasion, daring to question Israel and the narratives forced onto American political organizations? Or will it become just another cog in the machine of foreign influence? At the very least, imagine the pressure that 31-year-old Charlie Kirk had on him in his final days, with billionaires and foreign governments pushing him to take money and push their narratives - narratives that shape the future of a generation... One thing is certain: The battle for Charlie Kirk’s soul didn’t end with his death. It’s only just beginning. Sources include: TheGrayZone.com TPUSA.com X.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai
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