Warren Buffett is trying to avoid being called into Congress for testimony related to Bill Gates and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which is apparently why the billionaire philanthropist cut off ties with the Microsoft co-founder after the Epstein files were released.
The former Berkshire Hathaway CEO, 95, said as much in a Tuesday interview with CNBC.
“I haven’t talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled,” Buffett said on Squawk Box. “I don’t want to be in a position where I know things … and get called as a witness.”
“I don’t want to be under oath,” he added.
Elsewhere in the interview, Buffett claimed to be unaware of what was going on with Epstein and admitted he did not always ask the right questions of the Gates Foundation.
“I didn’t know what was going on, which didn’t mean something terrible was going on necessarily,” he repeated. “But I certainly didn’t know what was going on.”
Between 2006 and 2021, Buffett was one of the three original trustees on the Gates Foundation’s board. During these 15 years, Buffett donated billions of dollars to the private foundation. To date, the donations total more than $43 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock since 2006.
Although he resigned from the board in 2021, Buffett continues to contribute a significant sum to the Gates Foundation. His last donation was made last summer, adding to his approximate $60 billion total in charitable giving over the past two decades.
“I did not ask probing questions,” he said. “If I thought I had to ask probing questions, I wouldn’t have put the money in the first place.”
Buffett and Gates met in 1991, leading to a long-term friendship that predates the latter’s initial interaction with Epstein. The late sex trafficker met with the Microsoft co-founder on numerous occasions. Their relationship ended in 2014 when the two last discussed business.
Buffett apparently never met Epstein, telling CNBC he thanked Gates for not inviting him into the disgraced financier’s inner circle.
Gates has tried to distance himself from Epstein since the Justice Department released the latest trove of files earlier this year. In February, he apologized to foundation staff for his relationship with Epstein.
BILL GATES APOLOGIZED TO STAFF OVER EPSTEIN TIES. WHAT WAS THEIR RELATIONSHIP?
Earlier this month, the House oversight committee asked Gates to partake in a transcribed interview set for May 19. Gates plans to testify before the committee, according to a spokesperson.
“Gates welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee,” the spokesperson said in response to the congressional panel’s March 3 request. “While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work.”