Topline
Billionaire Bill Ackman took to X over the weekend to share a piece of dating advice that has spawned thousands of memes and mocking posts on the social media platform suggesting his go-to pickup line may not be as helpful as he thinks.
Bill Ackman attends the 28th annual Milken Institute Global Conference on May 6, 2025.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
In a post that has been viewed more than 27 million times since Saturday, Ackman said he often hears that young men today find it hard to meet women and blamed “online culture” for having “destroyed the ability to spontaneously meet strangers.”
Ackman, who has been married to his second wife since 2019, then said he “almost never got a No” when using a particular pickup line in his youth: “May I meet you?”
The line “inevitably enabled the opportunity for a further conversation” thanks to its “combination of proper grammar and politeness,” Ackman claimed, and said it should be an effective introduction for anyone trying to meet people.
X users immediately labeled the advice as awkward and bizarre, turning it into a meme.
Other memes have implied the line is creepy, posting it with photos of comedian Shane Gillis leering into the camera, former president Joe Biden whispering into the ear of an uncomfortable-looking woman and a fake photo of Vice President JD Vance peeping under a bathroom stall door.
One user suggested the line may have only worked because Ackman is a “6’3” hedge fund billionaire,” and that it may not sound the same coming from “a 5’8” junior banker clearing $160K total comp.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.
Forbes Valuation
Ackman is a hedge fund manager with a net worth of $9.3 billion, according to Forbes’ most recent valuation.