Billionaire Warren Buffett has always gained people’s attention, not just because of his success as an investor but because of his cautious and thoughtful approach to almost everything. This time, however, he’s surprising everyone with his take on the 2024 US presidential election.
Warren Buffet has finally revealed his endorsement decision for the next month high-stake US presidential election- but it’s not the one many would have guessed. Who is he endorsing as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump go head to head on November 5 in one of the tightest and most bitter election campaigns in recent history?
To put false rumours to bed, the 94-year-old billionaire who has previously backed Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, released a statement on his Berkshire Hathaway company website. “In light of the increased usage of social media, there have been numerous fraudulent claims regarding Mr. Buffett’s
endorsement of investment products as well as his endorsement and support of political candidates. Mr. Buffett does not currently and will not prospectively endorse investment products or endorse and support political candidates,” the statement read.
Who is Warren Buffet endorsing?
The announcement follows a series of impersonation attempts online which the investor called highly ‘concerning’, the Independent reported. In an interview with CNBC, Buffet disclosed is fears and stated, “I’m worried about people impersonating me and that’s why we put that on the Berkshire website.”
“Nobody should believe anybody saying I’m telling them how to invest or how to vote.”
The message is clear that the Warren Buffett is not taking sides in the election despite any online speculation, AI deepfakes or falsehoods that have or may emerge. Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” has been mostly neutral regarding politics for years.
Buffet has been unusually silent in the lead-up to November 5 despite formerly being a vocal advocate of Democrats like Clinton in 2016 and Obama in 2008 and 2012.
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In 2016, Buffet gave a scathing indictment on Donald Trump regarding the Republican candidate’s refusal to release his tax returns, suggesting he was being deliberately secretive, wrote The New York Times. He also criticised Trump for allegedly misleading his voters with falsehoods about his business success and how he could propel the American economy. He publicly denounced Donald Trump in 2016, for instance, and demanded that Trump’s tax returns be made public and he even released his own.
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These richest men have not endorsed a candidate
Buffet follows some of America’s other richest men, like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, in refraining from backing a candidate this election.
In contrast, Elon Musk, currently the world’s richest man, has thrown his backing behind Trump at rallies, through donations and on his social media platform, X/Twitter. Bill Gates has donated $50 million to the Harris campaign, reports The New York Times, although he has not declared an actual endorsement.
Polls currently have the two candidates deadlocked across several battleground states.