InvestorPolitical leaning: Center-leftProfile last reviewed: 2026-07-28
Warren Buffett
Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway
Long-term value investing, immune to market euphoria. No faith in crypto — and nearly all of his fortune goes back to society.
Investor who led Berkshire Hathaway for six decades with a famously consistent long-term value philosophy. His skepticism toward cryptocurrency and his pledge to give away nearly all of his wealth make his public record one of the most stable among major figures.
Basis for the leaning assessment
Has endorsed Democratic presidential candidates including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and proposed the "Buffett Rule" tax on the wealthy. His economic views remain strongly pro-market, and he is generally described as center-left.
Current Stances
Stances are editorial interpretations, always shown with the statements and actions they rest on.
Cryptocurrencyobserved 2014-03-14 – 2018-05-05
Skeptical of cryptocurrency
Has maintained since 2014 that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value.
Supporting statements & actions (2)
2014-03-14Interview
Stay away from it. It's a mirage, basically. (...) the idea that it has some huge intrinsic value is just a joke in my view.
On Bitcoin, after its first major price surge.
2018-05-05Speech
Bitcoin is probably rat poison squared.
At the first annual meeting after the 2017 crypto bubble.
"Rat poison squared" remains crypto Twitter's favorite thing to dunk on every bull run.
Source: Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting (via CNBC) ↗Archive
Goals
What Warren Buffett said they would do, in their own words and dated. Where the record settles one, the source for that is shown too. The same goals across everyone are in the promise tracker.
Short-term
Complete the CEO transition to Greg Abel
AchievedAnnounced at the May 2025 annual meeting. Abel took over as CEO in January 2026, completing the transition.
Declared: 2025-05-03Source ↗
Announced at the May 2025 annual meeting and completed on schedule at the turn of the year, with Buffett staying on as chairman rather than leaving entirely.
Outcome: 2026-01-01Source ↗
Consistency Tracker
Does each new statement or decision square with the record? Verdicts are not accusations: both sides of the record are presented so readers can judge for themselves. The same readings across everyone on the site are in the consistency index.
Earlier statement / action
2014-03-14Interview
Stay away from it. It's a mirage, basically. (...) the idea that it has some huge intrinsic value is just a joke in my view.
On Bitcoin, after its first major price surge.
Later statement / action
2018-05-05Speech
Bitcoin is probably rat poison squared.
At the first annual meeting after the 2017 crypto bubble.
"Rat poison squared" remains crypto Twitter's favorite thing to dunk on every bull run.
Source: Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting (via CNBC) ↗Archive
Most-Cited Sources from Voterscommunity reading list
Articles readers attached to their poll votes as evidence. Only pages cited independently by two or more voters are listed.
- 1givingpledge.org/pledger ↗
Cited by 8 voters
Liberal 5Conservative 3 - 2en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffett_Rule ↗
Cited by 5 voters
Liberal 5 - 3en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Warren_Buffett ↗
Cited by 5 voters
Liberal 1Conservative 4 - 4
Most-Discussed Moments
The statements and actions that set social media on fire — top 2, in chronological order. Every entry links to its source.
- 2018-05-05Speech
Bitcoin is probably rat poison squared.
At the first annual meeting after the 2017 crypto bubble.
"Rat poison squared" remains crypto Twitter's favorite thing to dunk on every bull run.
Source: Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting (via CNBC) ↗Archive
- 2025-05-03Action
Announced at the annual meeting that he would ask the board to have Greg Abel become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at year-end 2025.
Announced his retirement as CEO after six decades, while indicating he would remain chairman.
The retirement announcement was the business story of 2025 — tributes flooded every platform.
Timeline of Statements & Actions6 records, newest first
2026-01-01Action
Stepped down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, handing the company to his hand-picked successor Greg Abel and staying on as chairman.
The first change of chief executive since Buffett took control of Berkshire in 1965. He said he would keep coming into the office, giving Abel regular access to him.
2025-05-03Action
Announced at the annual meeting that he would ask the board to have Greg Abel become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at year-end 2025.
Announced his retirement as CEO after six decades, while indicating he would remain chairman.
The retirement announcement was the business story of 2025 — tributes flooded every platform.
2018-05-05Speech
Bitcoin is probably rat poison squared.
At the first annual meeting after the 2017 crypto bubble.
"Rat poison squared" remains crypto Twitter's favorite thing to dunk on every bull run.
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