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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has explained his decision to donate to a fundraiser in support of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
"I am big believer in our legal principal that one is innocent until proven guilty," Ackman wrote on X. He added that he had intended to also donate to a fundraiser set up to support Good’s family but said it "was closed by the time I attempted to provide support."
A GoFundMe spokesperson told Newsweek that its Trust and Safety team is reviewing the fundraiser for Ross, saying the team is "working to gather additional information from the organizer" and that "all funds remain safely held by our payment processors" during the review. The spokesperson said the only verified fundraiser so far is the one to support Good's family.
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A spokesperson for Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management declined to provide further comment when contacted by Newsweek.
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Why It Matters
The shooting of Good by an ICE agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, on Wednesday morning has ignited tensions in Minneapolis. Good’s death and the influx of ICE agents to the city amid the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown have sparked demonstrations, with protesters and elected officials calling for ICE to leave the city.
The Trump administration has defended the agent who shot Good in her car, saying he was acting in self-defense and that Good had "weaponized" her vehicle. But state and local officials and protesters have rejected that characterization, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey saying video recordings show the self-defense argument is "garbage."
An investigation into the shooting is ongoing, but Minnesota Democrats have said the investigation into Good’s death should not be overseen solely by the federal government after the FBI barred Minnesota law enforcement from joining the investigation or reviewing key evidence.
What To Know
A $10,000 donation on the GoFundMe page for Ross from a person identified as "William Ackman" on Sunday had sparked speculation that it was from Ackman, who endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.
Hours later, Ackman confirmed on X that he had made a donation to the fundraiser.
He said the "whole situation is a tragedy," adding that the officer was "doing his best to do his job."
In the post, Ackman referred to Good as a "protester who likely did not intend to kill the officer but whose actions in a split second led to her death."
The GoFundMe page for Ross was set up by a person called Clyde Emmons, who wrote on the page: "I feel that the officer that was 1000 percent justified in the shooting deserves to have a go fund me. Funds will go to help him."
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page to support Good’s family has paused donations after raising more than $1.5 million.
What People Are Saying
Bill Ackman wrote on X: "I am big believer in our legal principal that one is innocent until proven guilty. To that end, I supported the @gofundme for Jonathan Ross and intended to similarly support the gofundme for Renee Good’s family (her gofundme was closed by the time I attempted to provide support).
"The whole situation is a tragedy. An officer doing his best to do his job, and a protester who likely did not intend to kill the officer but whose actions in a split second led to her death. Our country is stronger if we work together to resolve the complex issues that are tearing us apart."
A GoFundMe spokesperson told Newsweek: "Our Trust & Safety team is currently reviewing all fundraisers related to the shooting in Minneapolis to ensure they are compliant with our Terms of Service."
The spokesperson added: "During the review process, all funds remain safely held by our payment processors. GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers that raise money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime. Any campaigns that violate this policy will be removed."
Investigative journalist Jacqueline Sweet wrote on X early Sunday: "It appears billionaire Bill Ackman has donated $10k to a GoFundMe for Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed Renee Good. Ackman has reposted the fundraiser but hasn’t posted about his own donation."
What Happens Next
The FBI’s investigation into Good's death is continuing, though Minnesota officials are demanding demand state involvement. It remains to be seen whether Ross will face charges in connection with Good’s death.
Meanwhile, immigration enforcement operations are expected to continue in the Twin Cities, with protests against ICE likely to continue in the coming days.
Update 1/12/26, 10:37 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to add comment from a GoFundMe spokesperson.
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