Buffett says Gates' ties to Epstein were 'distasteful' as Berkshire ends donations
Warren Buffett called Bill Gates' past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein distasteful and announced that Berkshire Hathaway will no longer donate to the Gates Foundation, ending a two-decade giving streak.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett described Bill Gates' former association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as "distasteful" and said his own firm, Berkshire Hathaway, will cease its annual contributions to the Gates Foundation for the first time in 20 years. The decision follows Gates' testimony before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, where he acknowledged regret over meeting Epstein and said the relationship was a mistake.
Buffett told CNBC that he and Gates have maintained a "wonderful friendship" since they met in 1991, but the shift in donations was prompted by Gates' congressional appearance. He added that he had also made poor choices in personal and professional relationships, noting he had "done many dumb things in life." Buffett said the change was not unexpected to Gates, with whom he met three weeks ago for a three-hour discussion.
Gates, who testified in June, said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 as a potential fundraiser for global health initiatives and later realized the full extent of Epstein's crimes. He expressed remorse, stating he should never have met Epstein and that the association was "distasteful." Since 2006, Buffett had pledged to give the Gates Foundation $47 billion over his lifetime, a commitment now being reassessed.