Starting in 2006, Warren Buffett has made an annual summer stock donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This year, he hit the pause button. The 95-year-old investor is waiting for the foundation to complete an internal review of its connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Buffett and his associates have reached out to the foundation's top officials, notably CEO Mark Suzman, seeking details on Epstein's connections with the group and the status of the internal probe. Buffett told CNBC in March 2026, "I don't want to be in a position where I know things … to be called as a witness." He added, "I think until it gets cleared up, it doesn't make sense to do a lot of talking."
The review focuses on the foundation's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In 2008, Epstein entered a guilty plea in a Florida state court for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Bill Gates first became friends with Epstein in 2011. Starting in late 2025, emails and photos revealing Gates's friendship with Epstein were made public following disclosures from the Department of Justice and Congress.
Get your free investing masterclass bonus when you join Market Briefs, our free daily newsletter
Bill Gates testified before the House Oversight Committee on June 10. In his testimony, Gates described his meetings with Epstein as "a grave error in judgment." He also denied having witnessed or engaged in any criminal conduct involving Epstein. Gates also said he only found out that Epstein was a registered sex offender in 2018, after a Miami Herald reporter's investigation into Epstein's 2008 plea deal.
The findings from the review are expected in summer 2026. Buffett may decide on his donation by the time he releases his annual Thanksgiving letter later in the year.
Until the review is finished, Buffett is staying quiet.
This pause marks a significant departure from Buffett's consistent philanthropic schedule. His annual donations have been a cornerstone of the Gates Foundation's funding, enabling large-scale global health and development initiatives. The review's outcome could affect not only future contributions but also the foundation's public trust and governance practices.
Buffett's commitment dates back to 2006, when he announced he would gradually give away 85% of his Berkshire Hathaway stock, with most going to the Gates Foundation. The annual transfers have been a reliable pillar of the foundation's budget. The foundation has used these funds to combat polio, malaria, and other diseases, as well as to improve education and agricultural productivity in developing countries. Any extended disruption to Buffett's donations could force the foundation to reallocate resources or delay programs.
Subscribe to Market Briefs, our free daily newsletter, and claim your bonus investing masterclass
