Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Warren Buffett

Public opinion and media debates around Warren Buffett—discover key moments of controversy.

Warren Buffett, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is a highly successful American investor and philanthropist. Renowned for his investment acumen, he is one of the world's most well-known investors. With an estimated net worth of $154.4 billion as of April 5, 2025, Buffett ranks among the wealthiest individuals globally.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1974: SEC Investigation into Wesco Financial Acquisition

In 1974, the SEC opened a formal investigation into Warren Buffett and Berkshire's acquisition of Wesco Financial due to possible conflict of interest, but no charges were brought.

1977: Berkshire Purchased Buffalo Evening News

In 1977, Berkshire indirectly purchased the Buffalo Evening News for $32.5 million, leading to antitrust charges instigated by its rival, the Buffalo Courier-Express.

1989: Private Jet Purchase

In 1989, Warren Buffett spent nearly $6.7 million on a private jet, initially naming it "The Indefensible", later renaming it "The Indispensable."

1990: Scandal Involving John Gutfreund Surfaced

In 1990, a scandal involving John Gutfreund, the former CEO of Salomon Brothers, surfaced.

August 1991: Gutfreund Left Salomon

In August 1991, John Gutfreund left Salomon, and Warren Buffett became chairman of Salomon until the crisis passed.

2000: Analogy about inheritance tax

In 2000, Warren Buffett made a comparison to the 2000 Olympic gold medalists to express his opinion on inheritance tax. He stated that repealing it would be like "choosing the 2020 Olympic team by picking the eldest sons of the gold-medal winners in the 2000 Olympics".

2004: Buffett Lambasts Stock Option Compensation Bill

At the 2004 annual meeting, Warren Buffett criticized a bill before the United States Congress that would consider only some company-issued stock options compensation as an expense. He compared the bill to a hypothetical one in the Indiana House of Representatives to change the value of Pi from 3.14159 to 3.2.

March 15, 2005: Greenberg Resigned from AIG

On March 15, 2005, the AIG board forced Maurice Greenberg to resign from his post as chairman and CEO after New York state regulators claimed that AIG had engaged in questionable transactions and improper accounting.

February 9, 2006: AIG Agreed to Pay Fine

On February 9, 2006, AIG agreed to pay a $1.6 billion fine.

2006: Buffett Disowns Granddaughter Nicole

In 2006, Warren Buffett disowned his son Peter's adopted daughter, Nicole, after she participated in the documentary "The One Percent."

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2006: Federal Tax Rate Disparity

Warren Buffet stated that he only paid 19% of his income for 2006 in total federal taxes, while his employees paid 33% of theirs.

2007: Buffett Testifies Before Senate on Estate Tax

In 2007, Warren Buffett testified before the Senate, advocating for the preservation of the estate tax to prevent a plutocracy. He argued against repealing the inheritance tax, likening it to selecting the 2020 Olympic team by choosing the eldest sons of the 2000 Olympic gold medalists.

2009: "The Good Club" meeting

In 2009, Warren Buffett met with several other billionaires, including Oprah Winfrey, Michael Bloomberg and David Rockefeller, Jr. to discuss healthcare, education and slowing population growth, in what was dubbed "The Good Club".

2009: Buffett Sold Shares of Johnson and Johnson

In 2009, Warren Buffett sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, with the sales totaling $80 million in value. This was revealed by a 2023 ProPublica article.

June 2010: Buffett Defends Credit-Rating Agencies

In June 2010, Warren Buffett defended credit-rating agencies for their role in the US financial crisis.

2010: Settlement with Gen Re

In 2010, the U.S. government agreed to a $92 million settlement with Gen Re, allowing the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary to avoid prosecution in the AIG case.

2012: Buffett Sold Shares of Wells Fargo

In 2012, Warren Buffett sold shares of Wells Fargo, with the sales totaling $80 million in value. This was revealed by a 2023 ProPublica article.

August 1, 2016: Tax Return Challenge to Trump

On August 1, 2016, Warren Buffett challenged Donald Trump to release his tax returns.

October 10, 2016: Release of Tax Return

On October 10, 2016, Warren Buffett released his own tax return, reporting he paid $1.85 million in federal income taxes on an adjusted gross income of $11.6 million.

January 2018: Buffett Comments on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies

In January 2018, Warren Buffett stated in an interview with CNBC that the cryptocurrency craze, specifically regarding Bitcoin, would not end well, referring to it as "rat poison squared." He also said he would not short bitcoin futures.

2020: Analogy about inheritance tax

In 2020, Warren Buffett used an analogy to express his opinion on inheritance tax. He stated that repealing it would be like "choosing the 2020 Olympic team by picking the eldest sons of the gold-medal winners in the 2000 Olympics".

2023: ProPublica Article Alleges Conflict of Interest

In 2023, a ProPublica article, based on leaked IRS data, alleged that Warren Buffett made equity trades in his personal portfolio involving companies that Berkshire Hathaway bought or sold during the same or preceding quarter, raising conflict of interest concerns.