# Buffett freezes a donation to the Gates foundation after the Epstein revelations > Introduction: a twenty-year silence breaks - Author: Maxime Marquette - Publisher: MadMax (https://mad-max.co) - Section: Analysis - Published: 2026-07-04 - Canonical URL: https://mad-max.co/en/article/buffett-gele-un-don-a-la-fondation-gates-apres-les-revelations-epstein ## Introduction: a twenty-year silence breaks ### A donation paused for the first time According to the **Wall Street Journal**, **Warren Buffett**, 95, has suspended his massive annual gift of **Berkshire Hathaway** stock to the **Bill and Melinda Gates** **foundation** for the first time in nearly **twenty years**. The decision comes as an external **review**, led by law firm **WilmerHale**, examines the ties between **Bill Gates** and **Jeffrey Epstein**. **Buffett** has typically made this donation mid-year, a philanthropic tradition dating back to **2006**, the year he pledged to gradually give away nearly all of his fortune to charity, mainly through the **Gates** **foundation**. ### A **review** still underway According to reports, this decision is directly linked to awaiting the **findings** of the **review** conducted by **WilmerHale** into past interactions between **Gates** and **Epstein**, a matter that gained momentum after Gates's **testimony** before **Congress** in June **2026**. Neither **Buffett** nor the Gates foundation has publicly detailed the precise reasons for this pause, but several American outlets, including **CNBC** and **Bloomberg**, confirm the donation could be delayed until Buffett's traditional **Thanksgiving** letter. *This kind of silence often says more than any official statement. When a man as disciplined as Buffett breaks a two-decade-old philanthropic routine, it's never an administrative detail: it's a signal.* ## What we know about Bill Gates's **testimony** ### A highly anticipated hearing before **Congress** On **June 10, 2026**, Bill Gates testified before the **House Oversight Committee** as part of the **inquiry** into ties between several wealthy figures and **Jeffrey Epstein**. The full transcript of his testimony was made public on **June 23, 2026**. According to that transcript, Gates called his decision to meet with **Epstein** a **"serious error in judgment,"** while firmly denying any involvement in the crimes Epstein committed. ### Veiled threats mentioned by Gates Gates also stated that Epstein had made **"veiled threats"** against him, suggesting he could reveal information about Gates's extramarital affairs if Gates cut off all contact. This account has not been independently corroborated by other witnesses as part of the public hearing. The Department of Justice had, in February **2026**, released documents showing meetings and photographs between Gates and Epstein, fueling questions about the exact nature of their relationship. *I note this cautiously: the threats Gates describes remain, at this stage, his version of events. No public evidence confirms or disproves them independently, and it would be dishonest to rule on his behalf.* ## Warren Buffett's position since the affair began ### An acknowledged personal distancing As early as **March 2026**, Buffett had publicly stated that he had not spoken to Gates **"since this whole thing broke,"** a rare admission from a man known for his discretion and loyalty toward his longtime business partners. Buffett also made clear he did not wish to be called to testify in this matter, a position that illustrates the **Omaha** investor's desire to keep his distance from a controversy that extends well beyond the usual philanthropic scope of their relationship. ### A colossal philanthropic fortune at stake Since 2006, **Warren Buffett** has given roughly **$47 to $48 billion** in **Berkshire Hathaway** stock to the Gates foundation, making him one of the largest philanthropic donors in recent history. Suspending this annual contribution, even temporarily, represents a considerable financial and symbolic gesture. Philanthropic sector observers note that this kind of pause, however brief, is **extremely rare** for a donor as consistent as Buffett, reinforcing the idea that the ongoing review carries real weight in his eyes. *Forty-seven **billion** dollars isn't a sum you pause on a whim. To me, this gesture from Buffett says more than any public statement about how seriously he takes this review.* ## What the **WilmerHale** review must establish ### The outside firm's mandate Law firm **WilmerHale** has been tasked with examining in detail the nature and extent of the interactions between **Bill Gates** and **Jeffrey Epstein**, including meetings, any financial exchanges, and any involvement of the foundation in Epstein-related activities. To date, no public findings from this review have been released. It would therefore be premature, and contrary to the most basic journalistic principles, to anticipate its results or draw definitive conclusions about anyone's guilt or innocence. ### Still incomplete **transparency** The Gates foundation has not communicated a precise timeline for releasing the review's findings, which is fueling a degree of media impatience, particularly in the United States, where the Epstein matter has remained a subject of intense public scrutiny for years. This lack of a clear timeline is, in itself, a legitimate **transparency** issue that observers have every right to question, without descending into unfounded speculation. *I'll say it plainly: as long as this report doesn't exist publicly, I refuse to speculate on its contents. This is exactly the kind of story where rigor must take precedence over the appetite for sensationalism.* ## The broader context of the Epstein affair in **2026** ### An **investigation** that keeps producing aftershocks The **Jeffrey Epstein** affair, more than six years after his death in custody, continues to produce major political and media aftershocks in the United States. Testimony before **Congress** from figures like **Bill Gates** or former assistant **Lesley Groff** is part of a broader **transparency** push demanded by American lawmakers. This climate of intense scrutiny now touches a widening circle of wealthy figures who at some point had contact with Epstein, without that automatically implying any complicity in his crimes. ### The necessary caution around unverified theories Several publications of uncertain reliability have tried to link this story to uncorroborated theories, particularly around alleged personal relationships involving third parties. These allegations have, to date, received no confirmation from a reliable primary source and will therefore not be repeated here. This editorial caution is essential: the Epstein subject has historically generated a significant amount of misinformation, and it is the responsibility of a serious columnist to stick strictly to established, sourced facts. *I consciously resist the temptation to go beyond verified facts. On this particular story, the slightest unsourced extrapolation damages the credibility of everything legitimately established so far.* ## The potential impact on global **philanthropy** ### The Gates foundation, a global giving giant The **Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation** remains one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world, funding public health, education, and development programs in dozens of countries. A prolonged suspension of Buffett's **donations**, while financially manageable in the short term, would send a significant reputational signal to the sector. Major philanthropic foundations depend heavily on **public trust** and the credibility of their donors and leaders; any lingering doubt on these questions can have repercussions for mobilizing future financial partners. ### A precedent for philanthropic **governance** This episode could, over time, push other major donors to demand greater **transparency** and independent verification mechanisms before committing to major contributions, reinforcing a trend already seen following several recent philanthropic scandals. It remains to be seen whether this pause from Buffett is a simple temporary adjustment or the beginning of a deeper reassessment of his relationship with a foundation he has, after all, helped build financially for **twenty years**. *This story goes beyond the Epstein question alone: it touches on how global **philanthropy** handles **trust** and transparency. And on that front, Buffett may have just, without meaning to, set a new standard of accountability.* ## How markets and financial observers see it ### A measured reaction on **Wall Street** Financial markets did not react significantly to the announcement of the frozen donation, with the news seen more as a matter of personal reputation than an event likely to affect **Berkshire Hathaway's** valuation. Financial analysts cited by **Bloomberg** nonetheless note that this kind of decision can shape public perception of the final chapter of Buffett's career. Some philanthropic sector commentators point out that Buffett had already planned to transfer the entirety of his remaining fortune before his death, a commitment made years ago, and that this temporary freeze does not call that long-term goal into question. ### A matter of timing more than amount The exact amount of the suspended donation has not been publicly specified, but Buffett's annual **donations** to the Gates foundation have in the past amounted to several **billion** dollars in **Berkshire Hathaway** stock. The delay until the time of the **Thanksgiving** letter suggests a window of several months before a final decision. This delay allows Buffett to watch how the Epstein matter and the findings of the **WilmerHale** review develop without having to take a public stance immediately, a cautious position for a man who has always avoided hasty statements. *I believe this delay is also a way for Buffett to protect his own reputation, built over decades of rigor and discretion, without having to publicly and permanently break with a longtime philanthropic partner.* ## Buffett's philanthropic legacy in question ### A reputation built on consistency Warren Buffett has built his philanthropic reputation on the **consistency** and **predictability** of his commitments, unlike other billionaires known for more spectacular but less regular announcements. This pause, even a temporary one, therefore stands in sharp contrast with his usual mode of operation over nearly two decades. Some observers of the **charitable sector** believe this gesture could, paradoxically, strengthen Buffett's credibility with the public, by showing that he does not grant automatic blanket trust even to his closest, longest-standing philanthropic partners. ### A signal sent to the entire charitable sector This cautious gesture could push other major donors to demand stricter verification mechanisms before committing large sums, in a philanthropic sector sometimes criticized for its lack of transparency around the **governance** of certain foundations. The Gates foundation itself will, sooner or later, have to publicly address the questions raised by this episode, if only to reassure its other major donors and institutional partners around the world. *I believe this episode, beyond the Buffett-Gates case itself, could become a reference point for global philanthropic **governance**. Transparency is no longer optional when tens of billions of dollars are at stake.* ## Conclusion: transparency before judgment ### What we can say today What we know for certain: Warren Buffett has suspended his annual donation to the Gates foundation while awaiting the findings of an external review into the ties between Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein. What we don't know: the contents of that report, its publication date, and its potential consequences. No formal accusation has been made against Bill Gates in this matter to date, and it would be unfair to presume a conclusion before the official release of the WilmerHale review's findings. ### A story to follow rigorously This story perfectly illustrates why the demand for transparency must take precedence over the temptation of hasty judgment. Through his gesture, Buffett sends a clear message: even the strongest business relationships are not immune to rigorous scrutiny when **reputation** and ethics are at stake. This piece will be updated if new factual developments emerge, particularly upon the eventual publication of the findings of the review commissioned by the Gates foundation. *I'll close this decoding with the same caution I opened it with: let's demand transparency, but resist the temptation to judge before the full facts are made public.* **By Maxime Marquette, columnist** ## Columnist's transparency note ### Editorial stance I am not a journalist but a **columnist and analyst**. My expertise lies in observing and analysing the geopolitical, economic and strategic dynamics that shape our world. My work is to take political strategies apart, to understand global economic movements, to put the decisions of international actors in context and to offer analytical perspectives on the changes that are redefining our societies. I do not claim the cold objectivity of traditional journalism, which stops at reporting facts. **I claim analytical clarity**, rigorous interpretation and a deep understanding of the complex issues that concern us all. My role is to give meaning to the facts, to place them in their historical and strategic context, and to offer a critical reading of events. ### Method and sources This text keeps the basic distinction between **verified facts and interpretive analysis**. The rule never changes: a factual claim is published only when a verifiable source supports it, and the sources this article actually used are listed under **Sources**, never here. **Primary source families** used by the publication, when the story has them: official statements from governments and international institutions, public statements by political leaders, reports from intergovernmental organisations, dispatches from recognised international news agencies. **Secondary source families**: specialised publications, internationally recognised news media, analyses from established research institutions, reports from industry organisations. When an article cites statistical, economic or geopolitical data, it comes from the institutions that produce it (intergovernmental organisations, central banks, national statistics offices), and the exact institution is named under **Sources**. ### Nature of the analysis The analyses, interpretations and perspectives in the analytical sections of this article are a **critical, contextual synthesis** based on the information available, the trends observed and the expert comments cited in the sources consulted. My role is to interpret these facts, to set them in the context of today's geopolitical and economic dynamics, and to give them a coherent meaning within the larger story of the changes shaping our time. These analyses reflect expertise built through continuous observation of international affairs and an understanding of the strategic mechanisms that drive global actors. This article describes a documented state of affairs on its publication date, not a prediction: later developments may shift its outlook. No update is promised in advance; when an article is corrected or completed, the change is dated in the text. ## Sources ### Primary sources - [CNBC — Buffett delays donation to Gates foundation pending Epstein review — June 30, 2026](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/30/warren-buffett-delays-gates-foundation-donation-epstein-review.html) - [Wall Street Journal — Buffett suspends donation to Gates foundation — June 30, 2026](https://www.wsj.com/business/warren-buffet-gates-foundation-epstein-2290ef61) ### Secondary sources - [The Independent — Buffett suspends donation to Gates foundation — June 30, 2026](https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/bill-gates-foundation-warren-buffett-donation-epstein-b3005836.html) - [U.S. News/Reuters — Buffett skips donation to Gates foundation amid Epstein review — June 29, 2026](https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-06-29/warren-buffett-skips-donation-to-gates-foundation-amid-epstein-review-wsj-reports) - [PBS NewsHour — Transcript of Bill Gates's hearing before Congress — June 23, 2026](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-the-house-transcripts-of-bill-gates-and-lesley-groffs-interviews-in-epstein-probe) - [The Guardian — Transcript of Bill Gates's testimony on Epstein — June 24, 2026](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/bill-gates-epstein-transcript) - [NPR — Bill Gates testifies before Congress on the Epstein files — June 10, 2026](https://www.npr.org/2026/06/10/nx-s1-5851609/bill-gates-jeffrey-epstein-files-congress-pam-bondi) --- Source: Maxime Marquette, MadMax. When citing, name the author and link https://mad-max.co/en/article/buffett-gele-un-don-a-la-fondation-gates-apres-les-revelations-epstein