Warren Buffett has addressed where things stand with Bill Gates after his longtime friend was referenced in the recently released Epstein files.
Buffett, 94—often called the “Oracle of Omaha”—is widely regarded as one of America’s most accomplished investors, according to Forbes.
After leading Berkshire Hathaway for 55 years, Buffett previously pledged to donate 99 percent of his fortune. More than $43 billion of that giving has gone to the Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization created by Bill Gates and his former wife, Melinda, in 2000.
However, Buffett has now said his relationship with Gates, 70—who he’s known for more than three decades—has effectively been on pause since revelations connected to the Epstein files became public.
The Department of Justice released documents in January that included allegations tied to a draft email Jeffrey Epstein wrote in 2013, which claimed Gates had contracted STDs from Russian girls.
The set of materials also contained communications between Gates and Epstein discussing potential philanthropic initiatives.
Gates later responded in an interview with Australian outlet WHAS11 news, arguing that Epstein’s email was inaccurate and emphasizing it wasn’t sent.
“Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself… I don’t know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?”
He also said he regretted spending any time with Epstein and maintained that he never traveled to Epstein’s private island.
In addition, Gates later apologized to employees for his association with Epstein, acknowledged in a meeting that he had affairs with two Russian women, and said he ‘never spent any time’ with victims.
During an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Buffett said he has not spoken with Gates since the allegations surfaced publicly.
The investor explained: “I don’t want to be in a position where I know things… to be called as a witness.”
He added that, until questions surrounding Gates’ ties to Epstein are fully resolved, he doesn’t see value in frequent conversation.
“I don’t want to be under oath,” he claimed.
Elsewhere in the interview, Buffett described Epstein as a ‘con man’ and said he was stunned by how far Epstein was able to get manipulating people.
“It is astounding to me that anyone could be that successful as a con man,” he quipped.
“Men are going to like sex… and some of them are going to like not paying taxes, and he figured out their weaknesses.
“That guy must have been the con man of all time. He had a way of conning everybody.”
Buffett—who earlier this year formally stepped aside to make room for current leader Greg Abel—also said he appreciated that Gates never urged him to go to New York to meet Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.
“I got him to thank for not doing that,” he claimed. “But you can’t get away from what happened either.”
In a letter obtained by CBNC, Buffett also expanded on why he intends to give away the bulk of his wealth rather than pass it down through generations.
“I never wished to create a dynasty or pursue any plan that extended beyond the children,” he wrote. “I know the three well and trust them completely. Future generations are another matter.
“Who can foresee the priorities, intelligence and fidelity of successive generations to deal with the distribution of extraordinary wealth amid what may be a far different philanthropic landscape?”