Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has revealed that he has not spoken to longtime friend and fellow philanthropist Bill Gates since new documents tied to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein were made public.
In a recent television interview, Buffett said that the relationship changed after the release of what are being called the “Epstein files,” which included material mentioning Gates’ past interactions with Epstein. Buffett described Epstein as a “con man” and said he wanted to avoid being drawn into potential legal scrutiny or being called as a witness.
Buffett, who has donated tens of billions of dollars to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over the years, acknowledged the long friendship but said he and Gates have been out of contact since the controversy emerged. He also commented that he was grateful never to have met Epstein himself.
Gates has publicly addressed the issue, saying he regretted ever knowing Epstein and maintaining that his interactions were related to philanthropic efforts and did not involve any illegal conduct. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he is prepared to explain his past contacts with Epstein if called on to do so by lawmakers.
Buffett’s distancing comes as scrutiny continues around the released documents and the broader implications for public figures named in the files. The situation remains under examination by authorities and has sparked debate about accountability and judgment among some of the world’s most prominent leaders.
