Bill Ackman Promises $1 Million Fund To Support Charlie Kirk's Family And Matches Contribution To Help FBI Catch His Killer

Author: Namrata Sen | September 12, 2025 05:37am

Following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, billionaire investor Bill Ackman has pledged to create a $1 million endowment for Kirk’s family alongside a contribution to the FBI reward.

Ackman Pledges Endowment For Charlie's Family

Ackman announced his plans on X, stating, “I am going to create a $1,000,000 ‘endowment’ for Charlie's family. I will invest $1m for the family for free and will give them 5% of the principal each year so they have a growing stream of income for the future with the ability to tap the endowment for emergencies.”

He responded to another X user who suggested that money should be donated to the Kirk family, rather than spending it on finding the killer.

Ackman has also offered $1 million contribution to the FBI reward announced for any information on Charlie’s shooter.

I am going to create a $1,000,000 ‘endowment' for Charlie's family. I will invest $1m for the family for free and will give them 5% of the principal each year so they have a growing stream of income for the future with the ability to tap the endowment for emergencies.

— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) September 12, 2025

Gun Stocks Surge After Kirk's Tragic Killing

This generous pledge comes in the wake of the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative political activist and Trump ally. Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, sparking a federal investigation and bipartisan condemnation of the violent incident.

Later on Thursday, the FBI released two photos of a person of interest in the shooting of Kirk, offering a $100,000 reward for information. Conservative activists, Alex Bruesewitz and Robby Starbuck, have added $25,000 each to the FBI award.

The assassination of Kirk led to a volatile market for gun stocks like Sturm Ruger & Company (NYSE:RGR), Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI), with shares of gun and ammunition manufacturers moving higher. This was further compounded by a school shooting in Colorado. The news of Ackman’s endowment for Kirk’s family comes amid a period of heightened attention on the issue of gun violence and its impact on the stock market.

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Image Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Posted In: RGR SWBI