Warren Buffett Delays Annual Donation to Bill Gates Foundation Amid Epstein Scandal

For the first time in 20 years, Warren Buffett is postponing his semiannual donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation due to concerns over Jeffrey Epstein's connections with Bill Gates. According to the Wall Street Journal, the 95-year-old Buffett is waiting for the results of an external investigation into the foundation's ties to the convicted sex offender before deciding on further contributions this year. Buffett, who retired earlier this year as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, traditionally donates Berkshire shares worth billions each June and again in November as part of his pledge to give away most of his wealth. To date, he has donated shares valued at $48 billion.

The Gates Foundation has been embroiled in controversy following revelations about Bill Gates's association with Epstein, which intensified after the release of U.S. Department of Justice documents earlier this year. The law firm WilmerHale was appointed to conduct an investigation, with findings expected in the coming months. Buffett and his close associates have been in contact with foundation leaders, including CEO Mark Suzman, to gather information about the Epstein connections and the ongoing inquiry. While Buffett has not publicly commented, sources indicate this delay will not affect his donations to other charities.

Buffett and Gates were long considered close friends, but their relationship has cooled amid the Epstein revelations. In a March interview with CNBC, Buffett stated he had not spoken to Gates since the documents surfaced and preferred to wait for the investigation's outcome before making his annual donation decision. Founded by Gates and his then-wife Melinda French, the foundation has distributed $110 billion to various causes, including developing new vaccines for malaria, drug-resistant tuberculosis treatments, and women's health improvements.