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Social media calls for a Chipotle boycott are based on a misunderstanding of billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s relationship with the restaurant chain, fact-checkers have determined.
The controversy erupted after Ackman donated $10,000 to a fund supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Good during a confrontation in Minneapolis in January. The shooting has sparked nationwide protests and significant debate about police use of force.
Multiple viral posts on Instagram have urged consumers to “Boycott Chipotle,” claiming the chain’s “owner” had financially supported Good’s shooter. One post that gained thousands of interactions declared: “We’re not going to chipotle anymore yall,” while another stated, “Boycott Chipotle!!! the owner just gave Renee Good’s murderer $10,000 bucks!!!”
However, these claims misrepresent Ackman’s current relationship with Chipotle. While his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, did once hold a 9.9 percent stake in the fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain, Ackman sold his shares and completely divested from the company in November 2025—months before the Minneapolis incident and his subsequent donation.
The donation in question was made from Ackman’s personal funds to a GoFundMe campaign established for Ross. Chipotle’s current CEO is Scott Boatwright, not Ackman, who never served in an executive capacity at the company.
Ackman acknowledged his donation in a January 11 post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the incident as “a tragedy” involving “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.” In the same post, Ackman mentioned he had intended to make a similar donation to Good’s family but found their fundraiser had closed before he could contribute.
The shooting that triggered these events occurred on January 7, when Ross shot and killed Good as she attempted to drive away from officers who had surrounded her vehicle, which they claimed was blocking their path. The Trump administration has maintained that Ross acted in self-defense, though analysis of bystander video has shown Good’s car turning away from the officer at the time of the shooting.
The misinformation spread rapidly enough that Chipotle’s verified social media accounts began responding to comments, clarifying that “Bill Ackman is not affiliated with Chipotle.” This swift reaction indicates the company recognized the potential business impact of the misguided boycott calls.
The incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread on social media platforms and potentially impact businesses, especially during politically charged events. It also demonstrates how past business relationships can be conflated with current affiliations, leading to misdirected consumer activism.
Chipotle, which operates over 3,300 restaurants across the United States and internationally, has not issued a formal statement regarding the controversy or Ackman’s donation beyond the responses to individual social media users. The company did not respond to requests for comment from media organizations at the time of reporting.
This case is one of several instances of misinformation surrounding the Minneapolis shooting that fact-checking organizations have identified and debunked in recent weeks, as the incident continues to fuel protests and debate across the country about immigration enforcement tactics and police accountability.
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14 Comments
This is a complex and emotional situation, but it’s important to stick to the facts. The Chipotle link appears to be a misunderstanding, and reacting with boycotts based on unverified information is unwise.
I agree. Maintaining a calm, rational approach and focusing on the actual facts is crucial in situations like this, where emotions and misinformation can easily spiral out of control.
While the shooting is understandably upsetting, the claims about Chipotle’s involvement appear to be unfounded. Rushing to boycott the company based on unverified information is unwise and could do more harm than good.
I agree. Knee-jerk reactions often make tense situations worse. It’s important to stick to the facts and avoid fanning the flames of outrage on social media.
Jumping to conclusions without all the details is never a good idea. While the shooting is deeply concerning, it appears the Chipotle connection is a misunderstanding. Boycotts should be based on facts, not rumors.
Exactly. Spreading misinformation, even with good intentions, can make sensitive situations like this even more volatile. Cooler heads should prevail while the investigation proceeds.
It’s concerning to see social media being used to spread misinformation, even with good intentions. The facts around Chipotle’s involvement appear to be inaccurate. Cooler heads and careful analysis are needed here.
Exactly. Boycotts should be based on verified information, not rumors. Rushing to judgment often does more harm than good, especially in sensitive situations like this.
This is an unfortunate situation. It’s important to verify facts before spreading misinformation or calling for boycotts. The owner’s past connection to Chipotle seems irrelevant to the tragic shooting incident.
I agree, knee-jerk reactions based on unconfirmed claims can do more harm than good. Let’s hope the authorities handle this case fairly and transparently.
While the shooting incident is deeply troubling, the claims about Chipotle’s connection seem to be unfounded. Responsible reporting and fact-checking are essential to avoid fueling further outrage and division.
This is a complex and sensitive issue, and it’s important to be cautious about spreading unconfirmed information. The Chipotle connection seems to be a misunderstanding, and responsible handling of the facts is crucial.
It’s unfortunate to see social media fueling false narratives around this tragedy. The facts seem to indicate the Chipotle link is inaccurate. Responsible reporting and calm, rational discussion are needed here.
It’s disappointing to see social media being used to spread unconfirmed claims, even with good intentions. The Chipotle connection seems to be inaccurate, and responsible handling of the facts is essential here.