Bill Ackman’s shocking question after Trump says Iran 'killing has stopped': ‘Did they make deal to let Khamenei leave?’ | Hindustan Times

Bill Ackman’s shocking question after Trump says Iran 'killing has stopped': ‘Did they make deal to let Khamenei leave?’

Published on: Jan 15, 2026 10:23 AM IST

American billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman raised shocking questions after President Donald Trump said that the ‘killing’ in Iran had ‘stopped’. 

American billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman raised shocking questions after President Donald Trump said that the ‘killing’ in Iran had ‘stopped’. Trump's statement came after he'd assured Iranian protesters for days that ‘help’ was on the way.

President Donald Trump had assured those protesting against Iran's Khamenei that 'help' was on its way.(X/@Praecursator007)
President Donald Trump had assured those protesting against Iran's Khamenei that 'help' was on its way.(X/@Praecursator007)

Notably, Ackman has been vocally pro-Israel, especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Israel and Iran, meanwhile, have been at loggerheads.

Ackman took to X to voice his discontent and raise questions about the Trump presidency, which earlier this month pulled off the unprecedented move of sending in armed forces who captured and brought back Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife to the US, to be indicted.

What Bill Ackman said

“Is it possible that Donald Trump made a deal to let Khamenei and son leave Iran?,” Ackman asked. There is no credible information to back the claim that Trump's statement had anything to do with Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei. While he said he had it on ‘good authority’ that the killings there had stopped, Iran has signaled fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters. Further, Trump did not indicate if his comments meant that he would hold off on military action.

Also Read | Iran's airspace movement to Pentagon Pizza Index: Concerning report emerges amid Trump threats

Ackman added, “This would explain why President Trump has stated that ‘The killing has stopped,’ and why he is holding off on the attack for now.” Referring to the Iranian airspace closure, which had sparked buzz of an imminent US attack, Ackman continued “The skies could not be reopened above Iran without total certainty that there would be no attack.”

He claimed that this reopening of the skies was to allow Khamenei to seek safe passage to Moscow. Earlier reports had suggested that Khamenei would turn to Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin if protests in Iran drove him out.

“To be clear, this is a total speculation. I welcome the experts weighing in,” Ackman concluded his post.

In separate posts since then, Ackman speculated “I say they take Khamanei and family to China or Russia. A deal has been made. Again total speculation. Experts please weigh in.” He also questioned Trump's statement on the killings, saying “Has the killing actually stopped? Do we have any real time info from Iran?”

Ackman further speculated “This could suggest that a deal has been made and we are standing down so Khamanei and family can feel comfortable exiting safely. The IRGC halts the killing. We stand down. Khamenei evacuates to Russia or an alternative safe haven.”

Ackman is not the only one who has questions. Republican Senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, also spoke out. He has been vocal about the protests in Iran as well, and said on X “Every indication that I’ve seen says that the Iranian regime’s killing of protestors is still very much in full swing. The death toll is mounting by the hour. Hoping that help is on the way.”

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
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