Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has officially distanced himself from longtime collaborator Bill Gates, citing the fallout from newly unsealed Jeffrey Epstein investigative files and Gates’ upcoming testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
In a decisive break from their decades–long partnership, the 95-year-old Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway confirmed he has ceased all communication with Gates. The move comes as federal investigators and lawmakers intensify their scrutiny into the late financier’s network.
Speaking to CNBC on March 31, Buffett revealed he is insulating himself from potential legal entanglement. “I haven’t talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled,” Buffett stated. “I don’t want to be in a position where I know things. At the moment, I could get called as a witness.”
The distancing follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s December 2025 release of internal Epstein documents. While Gates has not been charged with a crime, the files contain allegations regarding his personal conduct and his relationship with Epstein, which Gates previously characterized as a “serious error in judgment” focused on philanthropy.
The unsealed records include draft emails in which Epstein claimed to have knowledge of Gates’ private life, including alleged extramarital affairs. While Gates originally denied the claims, he later admitted to two affairs with Russian nationals during a town hall with Gates Foundation staff in February.
Despite these admissions, Gates remains adamant that his interactions with Epstein involved no “illicit” activity. A spokesperson for Gates reiterated his commitment to “answering all questions” before Congress to prove he was never part of Epstein’s criminal enterprise.
The rift carries massive implications for global philanthropy. Since 2006, Buffett has funneled more than $43 billion into the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, Buffett confirmed he is withholding his annual June contribution—a massive injection of Berkshire Hathaway stock—pending the outcome of the investigation.
“I’ll wait and see what unfolds,” Buffett said. “The stock isn’t going any place.”
Buffett, who resigned as a trustee of the foundation in 2021, also suggested that the current scandal could trigger a historic legislative crackdown on private foundations. He drew parallels to the 1960s House inquiries that fundamentally restructured nonprofit regulations.
Reflecting on the late Epstein, Buffett was blunt in his assessment, labeling the financier a “con man” who exploited the vulnerabilities of powerful men.
“It’s astounding to me that anybody could be that successful as a con person,” Buffett noted, adding that while Epstein preyed on weaknesses, “that doesn’t excuse the people on the other end.”
Gates is expected to appear before the House Committee later this spring. As the investigation widens, Buffett’s tactical retreat signals a significant loss of institutional support for the Microsoft co-founder.
