Billionaire Warren Buffett revealed that he has refrained from communicating with Bill Gates ever since details emerged linking Gates to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with CNBC, the Berkshire Hathaway chairman disclosed that he intentionally distanced himself to avoid potential involvement as a witness.
Buffett emphasized, “I haven’t talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled. I don’t want to be in a position where I know things, to be called as a witness.” The two tycoons have historically shared a tight-knit personal and charitable bond. Buffett has generously contributed over USD 43 billion to the Gates Foundation since 2006, which was established by Bill Gates and Melinda Gates. They jointly initiated The Giving Pledge, urging affluent individuals worldwide to dedicate a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropy.
Nevertheless, Buffett hinted that the Epstein controversy has strained their interactions. He stated, “I think until it gets cleared up, it doesn’t make sense to do a lot of talking.” Gates’s name surfaced in documents related to Epstein, alleging that Epstein was aware of Gates’s purported interactions with women. Mention was made of a draft email attributed to Epstein suggesting that Gates had contracted an STD and was attempting to discreetly arrange treatment for his then-wife.
In February, Gates admitted to his previous association with Epstein, expressing regret to his team and acknowledging it as a “huge mistake” to have associated with him. He clarified that he had not spent time with Epstein’s victims or associated women. On the other hand, Buffett characterized Epstein as an exceptionally cunning individual, remarking, “It is astounding to me that anyone could be that successful as a con man. Men are going to like sex … and some of them are going to like not paying taxes, and he figured out their weaknesses.”
Buffett also mentioned that Gates could have introduced him to Epstein, but Gates refrained from doing so. “I’ve got him to thank for not doing that,” Buffett acknowledged, while recognizing the inevitable repercussions from the scandal.