Buffett delays Gates Foundation donation pending Epstein tie review

Warren Buffett has delayed his midyear donation to the Gates Foundation for the first time in two decades, as he awaits the outcome of a review into the foundation's ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Source: The Wall Street Journal. The decision was first reported by the Wall Street Journal and confirmed by CNBC Source: CNBC.

The delay

Buffett, the 95-year-old chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, typically donates company stock to the Gates Foundation every summer. This year, however, he has held off while the foundation conducts an internal review of its connections to Epstein. The findings are expected this summer, and a decision on the donation could come when Buffett releases his annual Thanksgiving letter Source: CNBC.

Context

The review follows revelations of emails and photos detailing Bill Gates' friendship with Epstein, which were disclosed in documents from the Department of Justice and Congress since late 2025. Gates testified before the House Oversight Committee on June 10, calling his meetings with Epstein a "grave error in judgment" but denying witnessing or participating in criminal behavior. He claimed he only learned Epstein was a registered sex offender in 2018 Source: CNBC.

Since 2006, Buffett has donated over $43 billion to the Gates Foundation as part of a lifetime pledge. The delay marks a significant shift in his relationship with the foundation.