In a rare political statement, billionaire investor Warren Buffett revealed his position on the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, catching many by surprise. Despite past support for Democratic candidates like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Buffett clarified that he remains neutral this time around, refraining from endorsing either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the tight race.
The announcement follows a spate of impersonation attempts on social media, which Buffett called “highly concerning.” To address these fraudulent claims, he issued a statement on Berkshire Hathaway’s website, warning people not to believe any endorsement messages claiming to be from him, whether for investment products or political candidates. “Nobody should believe anybody saying I’m telling them how to invest or how to vote,” he stated, adding that his decision to stay neutral aims to prevent any misrepresentation of his views in the increasingly polarized election landscape.
Buffett, often regarded as the “Oracle of Omaha” for his investment foresight, has largely stayed out of politics in recent years. While he strongly criticized Trump in 2016 over issues like tax transparency, Buffett has largely remained silent this election season. His neutrality mirrors that of other prominent tech moguls, including Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, though Elon Musk has publicly supported Trump, and Bill Gates reportedly contributed to Harris’s campaign without formally endorsing her.
With polls showing a deadlock between Harris and Trump in key battleground states, Buffett’s decision not to endorse may underscore his cautious approach amid the contentious political climate leading up to November 5.
