Warren Buffett, the legendary Oracle of Omaha, dropped a bombshell that stunned the billionaire world: he has completely cut off contact with his longtime friend Bill Gates following the release of the explosive Jeffrey Epstein files.
“I haven’t talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled,” Buffett revealed in a candid new interview. His reason? Pure self-protection. “I don’t want to be in a position where I know things… I could get called as a witness. I don’t want to be under oath.”
The 95-year-old investor, who has donated more than $43 billion to the Gates Foundation over the years, admitted he was surprised by what he learned about Gates’ ties to the convicted sex offender. Now, radio silence reigns between two of the most powerful men in business—until the scandal “gets cleared up.”
What exactly did Buffett discover that made him draw this sharp line? And will their historic partnership survive?
Warren Buffett, the legendary Oracle of Omaha, dropped a bombshell that stunned the billionaire world: he has completely cut off contact with his longtime friend Bill Gates following the release of the explosive Jeffrey Epstein files.
“I haven’t talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled,” Buffett revealed in a candid interview with CNBC’s Becky Quick on Squawk Box. His reason? Pure self-protection. “I don’t want to be in a position where I know things… I could get called as a witness. I don’t want to be under oath.”
The 95-year-old investor, who has donated more than $43 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since 2006, admitted he was surprised by what he learned about Gates’ ties to the convicted sex offender. Now, radio silence reigns between two of the most powerful men in business—until the scandal “gets cleared up.”
Buffett’s comments mark his first public remarks on the matter since the U.S. Department of Justice began releasing millions of pages of Epstein-related documents late last year. These files include emails, notes, and drafts detailing Gates’ repeated meetings and discussions with Epstein—even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes. Some documents contain Epstein’s own claims suggesting Gates engaged in sexual misconduct, including references to an STI allegedly contracted through encounters with “Russian girls” arranged via Epstein. Gates has repeatedly denied any sexual involvement, describing his association with Epstein as a “huge mistake” and insisting their interactions centered on philanthropy.
Despite his distance, Buffett expressed gratitude that Gates never introduced him to Epstein. “I got him to thank for not doing that,” he noted. He described Epstein as a “sensational con man” with an extraordinary talent for identifying and exploiting the weaknesses of the powerful—whether ambition, desire, or financial incentives. Due to poor eyesight, Buffett has had the files read aloud to him and remains astonished at the scale of Epstein’s manipulation and its ongoing ripple effects across elite circles.
The two billionaires once shared a close bond built on bridge games, shared meals, and a mutual commitment to global health through the Gates Foundation and The Giving Pledge. Their partnership helped channel tens of billions toward fighting disease, poverty, and inequality worldwide. Buffett has stated he does not regret his past donations, emphasizing that the foundation’s work remains valuable and that “they’re not stealing money for themselves.” However, he stopped short of committing to the next major tranche of Berkshire stock donations scheduled for June, saying he will “wait and see what unfolds.”
What exactly did Buffett discover that prompted such a sharp boundary? While he has avoided diving deeper to prevent being drawn into potential congressional testimony or legal proceedings—Gates himself faces scrutiny and possible testimony—the revelations appear to have exposed uncomfortable details about judgment, secrecy, and moral lapses in high-society networks. Buffett’s cautious approach reflects the wisdom of a man who built a fortune on clear-eyed risk assessment.
Whether their historic partnership can survive remains uncertain. Buffett has spoken fondly of their past “great times together” but made clear that meaningful conversation is on hold until the clouds lift. In the rarefied world of billionaire philanthropy, where personal relationships often underpin massive charitable engines, this fracture underscores how one predator’s web can ensnare even the most calculated minds. For now, the Oracle of Omaha’s silence speaks louder than words, prioritizing self-preservation amid a scandal that continues to reverberate.
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