Warren Buffett Considers Halting Donations to Bill Gates Foundation

Warren Buffett has opened the possibility of halting his routine donations to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This follows the emergence of Bill Gates’ relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convict in a sexual crime case. The disclosure in Epstein’s documents is said to have strained, and potentially ended, the long-standing friendship between Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Quoted from CNBC on Sunday (5/4/2026), Buffett admitted he has not communicated with Gates since the issue surfaced. “I haven’t spoken at all since all this came out,” he said in an interview on the “Squawk Box” programme. “Until everything is clear, I don’t think it makes sense to talk a lot,” he added. Buffett also emphasised that he was not involved in any activities related to Epstein, other than as a donor to the foundation. “I have nothing to do with that, except that I donate money there,” he stated. Regarding the continuation of his donations to the Bill Gates Foundation, Warren Buffett said he has not yet made a decision. “I’ll wait and see how it develops. I don’t have to decide today, and I haven’t made a decision,” he remarked. Nevertheless, Warren Buffett assessed that Bill Gates was not directly involved in Epstein’s illegal activities, including those related to women or Epstein’s private island. However, he still wishes to monitor further developments in the information. Buffett also expressed relief that he never had any closeness with Epstein, whom he described as a “super con artist” who exploited others’ weaknesses. In 2006, Warren Buffett committed to routinely donating Berkshire Hathaway shares to the Gates Foundation for the duration of his life, with several conditions, including the active involvement of Gates or Melinda in the foundation. He even stated that the commitment would continue after his death. However, two years ago, Buffett ensured that the Gates Foundation would not receive additional funds after his passing.