Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has publicly addressed his association with Bill Gates following the release of files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Buffett asserted that he was unaware of the specifics concerning Epstein and acknowledged that he did not always pose the necessary difficult questions to the Gates Foundation.

Buffett's Stance on the Gates Foundation and Epstein

Speaking out, Buffett stated, “I didn’t know what was going on, which didn’t mean something terrible was going on necessarily,” but conceded, “But I certainly didn’t know what was going on.” He suggested that if he felt the need to ask deeply probing questions, he would not have committed his funds to the foundation in the first place.

Long-Term Philanthropic Partnership

Warren Buffett served as one of the three original trustees on the Gates Foundation board from 2006 until his resignation in 2021. During this 15-year tenure, Buffett channeled billions of dollars into the private foundation through donations of Berkshire Hathaway stock.

To date, Buffett's total contributions to the foundation exceed $43 billion in stock since 2006. Even after stepping down from the board, he continues to be a major donor, having made his most recent contribution last summer, adding to his approximate $60 billion in charitable giving over the last two decades.

Relationship History with Bill Gates

Buffett and Gates established a friendship beginning in 1991, well before Gates' initial interactions with Epstein. The late sex trafficker reportedly met with the Microsoft co-founder on multiple occasions, with their last business discussion occurring in 2014.

Buffett indicated that he never met Epstein. He reportedly expressed gratitude to Gates for keeping him out of the disgraced financier’s inner circle.

Congressional Inquiry Involving Bill Gates

A recent trove of files concerning Epstein was released earlier this year. In February, Bill Gates issued an apology to foundation staff regarding his association with Epstein.

A congressional panel has requested that Gates participate in a transcribed interview scheduled for May 19. A spokesperson confirmed that Gates plans to testify before the committee.

The spokesperson stated, “Gates welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee,” in response to the March 3 request. They added that Gates looks forward to “answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work,” while emphasizing that he “never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct.”