Warren Buffett is delaying his customary midyear donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the first time in 20 years over concerns about the foundation's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The foundation has hired law firm WilmerHale to investigate its communications with Epstein, with results expected this summer [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Buffett, 95, has donated approximately $43 billion to $48 billion to the Gates Foundation from 2006 through 2025, primarily through Berkshire Hathaway stock, as part of a lifetime pledge [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. He stepped down as a trustee of the foundation in 2021 after Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce [2, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Buffett has not spoken with Bill Gates since the Epstein files became public earlier this year, though Gates last spoke with Buffett in January 2026 before the documents were released. "We talked about my health challenges and some other things," Gates said of the last conversation [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Buffett said he wants to wait for clarification before deciding on further donations, stating, "I don't want to be in a position where I know things ... to be called as a witness" [3].
Bill Gates did not attend Berkshire Hathaway's 2026 annual shareholders meeting in May for the first time in many years, reportedly after suggestions he should not attend [2, 4, 5, 7].
Regardless of Buffett's decision on the Gates Foundation, his donations to family foundations—including those managed by his children and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation—are expected to continue [2, 4, 5].
The Gates Foundation plans to cut up to 500 jobs over the coming years and reduce operating expenses amid efforts to accelerate philanthropic spending [7].
Buffett’s donation decision is expected to be reviewed later this year and could be announced with his annual Thanksgiving letter in November [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
