Warren Buffett excludes Gates Foundation from his annual donations of Berkshire stock

Warren Buffett has excluded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from his annual charitable donations of Berkshire Hathaway stock, a move confirmed by multiple outlets. The decision follows reports linking the foundation to Jeffrey Epstein’s network, according to Reuters. Buffett’s annual practice of donating shares to select charities has been disrupted, with Bloomberg noting he plans to offload his Berkshire stake over eight years as part of this shift.

Coverage emphasizes the abruptness of the change, with WSJ and Forbes highlighting that the Gates Foundation has been a consistent recipient of Buffett’s donations for years. The move has sparked speculation about the foundation’s future role in philanthropy, though no official statement from Buffett or Gates has been released. CNBC and Reuters frame the decision as a direct response to the Epstein revelations, though details remain limited.

Watch for potential fallout in philanthropic circles, including reactions from other major donors and the Gates Foundation’s response. Buffett’s long-term plans for his Berkshire stake—whether tied to this decision—may also become clearer in the coming weeks. Legal or reputational scrutiny of the foundation could further shape the narrative.