ClaimsPeople

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway as chairman from 1970 and as CEO until January 1, 2026, and now serves as chairman emeritus and a board member.

1,556 claims collected, 281 researched, 78 resolved. Report of 5 November 2026, method 0.1.0+28da144b.

Scores by kind of claim

Each kind of claim is scored on its own, out of 100: the share that held up, with the range it likely falls in. Fewer resolved claims give a wider range.

  • Factual claims

    Statements about the present or the past, checked against the record: did they hold up?

    85 79 91

    High confidence, 51 factual claims resolved. From 14 documents, 2001 to 2026; 15 documents sampled from 31 candidates found.

    Not scored: 51 unresolvable, 45 checkable only against their own records.

  • Predictions

    Statements about events outside the person's control, checked once they fell due: did they come true?

    78 65 89

    Low confidence, 14 predictions resolved. From 6 documents, 2001 to 2024; 15 documents sampled from 31 candidates found.

    Not scored: 71 unresolvable, 2 checkable only against their own records. 10 more fall due later.

    Does not yet allow for how likely each prediction was when made.

  • Promises

    Commitments to the person's or organisation's own future action, with something to deliver: was it delivered?

    72 57 85

    Low confidence, 12 promises resolved. From 7 documents, 2001 to 2026; 15 documents sampled from 31 candidates found.

    Not scored: 17 unresolvable, 4 not yet due, 1 checkable only against their own records.

  • Guidance

    A company's own figures for its results over a period, checked against what it then reported.

    Insufficient record: 1 guidance claim resolved, 5 needed for a score.

    Not scored: 2 unresolvable.

All types combined: 82 (likely 76 to 87, high confidence), from 77 claims: 51 factual claims, 14 predictions, 12 promises. It mixes kinds of claim in different proportions for different people, so compare people kind by kind.

Warren Buffett's claims

386 claims, sorted by newest said. Choose a claim to read it in full.
VerdictKindSaidClaimTopic
Resolved true Factual 18 Sep 2026 Howard Buffett has been a Berkshire director for 33 years. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 18 Sep 2026 Warren Buffett took the reins at Berkshire at age 34, after a shorter apprenticeship than Howard Buffett's 33 years as director. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 18 Sep 2026 Howard Buffett succeeds Warren Buffett as Berkshire's Chairman. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 18 Sep 2026 Warren Buffett has served Berkshire since 1965. Factual · 18 Sep 2026 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 10 Nov 2025 Buffett said that after Stan built the paper's new Sunday product, Berkshire's newspaper, which had been losing cash, earned over 100% annually pre-tax on Berkshire's $33 million investment for some years. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 10 Nov 2025 Buffett's children and the Berkshire directors are fully supportive of Greg Abel as CEO. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 10 Nov 2025 Buffett and Charlie Munger several times encountered a CEO's debilitating disease and failed to act. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 10 Nov 2025 Berkshire's stock price has fallen about 50% three times in 60 years under present management. Factual · 10 Nov 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Warren Buffett first heard of Forest River, the Indiana RV company founded by Pete Liegl, on June 21, 2005. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 From the start of its Japanese investments, Berkshire agreed to keep its holdings below 10% of each of the five companies' shares. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Over the past two decades Berkshire's insurance business generated $32 billion of after-tax underwriting profits, about 3.3 cents per dollar of sales after income tax. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Late in 2024 Berkshire raised its ownership of its utility operation from about 92% to 100% at a cost of roughly $3.9 billion, $2.9 billion in cash and the balance in B shares. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 2025 Warren Buffett received an education at three universities. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 2025 Berkshire's insurance operations are not dependent on reinsurers. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Warren Buffett used the words "mistake" or "error" 16 times in his shareholder letters during 2019-23. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 2025 When buying Forest River, Warren Buffett asked Pete Liegl what his compensation should be and said he would accept whatever Liegl named. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Berkshire has a growing investment in Japan, an exception to its otherwise U.S.-based focus. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Over the past two decades Berkshire's insurance float grew from $46 billion to $171 billion. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 At year-end 2024 Berkshire's aggregate cost for its holdings in the five Japanese companies was $13.8 billion and their market value totaled $23.5 billion. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Factual 2025 Becky Quick and her CNBC crew transmit Berkshire's meetings worldwide and archive much Berkshire-related material. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 2025 Greg Abel has met many times with the managements of the five Japanese trading companies, and Buffett regularly follows their progress. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 2025 Berkshire does not use options or other one-sided forms of compensation for its executives and directors. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 2025 Carrie, whose grandfather was Bill Kizer, Sr., refused any payment for her extensive work on the new "Charlie" edition. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 2025 In 2024 Berkshire made four payments to the IRS totaling $26.8 billion. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 2025 In 2024, 53% of Berkshire's 189 operating businesses reported a decline in earnings, yet Berkshire did better than Buffett expected. Factual · 2025 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Ted Weschler, from Buffett's office, went to a business that was getting close to the brink, and within a couple of days Buffett's side offered it a solution. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire first bought National Indemnity in 1957. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 There have been times in Buffett's investing life when he had so many opportunities he could have invested everything by nightfall. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 The meeting bookstore normally carries about 25 books, and Buffett said he thought about 2,400 copies of Poor Charlie's Almanack (fourth edition) were sold the day before. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire, after buying a furniture chain in Baltimore, quickly realized the purchase was a mistake. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 GEICO is now a $40 billion business, up from about $7 million when Buffett first called on it. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said he thinks the number of Berkshire shareholders across the US who have given $100 million or more to local charities is many multiples of that of any other US public company. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Warren Buffett alone made the decision for Berkshire to sell its Paramount stake, with no involvement from Ted Weschler or Todd Combs. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Someone who dies without a will is still subject to the state's rules on who inherits. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 GEICO's underwriting expense ratio is below 10%, and very few companies can compete with it. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire Hathaway made small acquisitions during the year before the 2024 annual meeting. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett made Berkshire's commitment to Japanese stocks about five years before 2024. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett receives very few calls from Berkshire's operating managers, close to zero. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Warren Buffett said he thinks he read Ben Graham's book about five or six times. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Climate change has caused far more wildfires, affecting utilities. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other global risks
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 At the 2024 Berkshire annual meeting, the bookstore carried only one book, Poor Charlie's Almanack. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 In 2008 people did have money but were paralyzed and unwilling to act. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Jay Powell does not control fiscal policy. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Charlie Munger understood the importance of psychology, human behavior and incentives very early. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire Hathaway lost money on its Paramount investment. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said Berkshire has had some experience with distribution businesses and knows, to a degree, their potential and their limitations. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Plane crashes are rare, while car crashes happen all the time. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett described images that reproduced him and delivered a message that did not come from him. Factual · 5 May 2024 AI safety and alignment
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 In the 1990s, statistics from Ty Cobb's playing days were found to have been faulty, and he actually batted .366 because a couple of bad at-bats had not been counted. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 The US federal corporate tax rate was 35% not long ago and was 52% at times during Buffett's career. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Union Pacific, BNSF's main competitor, fell far behind 20 or 25 years ago. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Four American presidents died intestate, without wills. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 In 2008 Berkshire had capital, eagerness to act, and a government that viewed it as an asset rather than a liability. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 More than 99% of Warren Buffett's wealth is going to philanthropy. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Carol has edited Berkshire's annual report from 1977 through this year's report. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Charlie Munger twice pounded the table urging Buffett to buy, once for BYD and once for Costco. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said he was responsible for the purchase and for the operation until Greg Abel took over. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Coca-Cola does business around the world to a degree few companies match, being the preferred soft drink in roughly 170 to 180 of 200 countries. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire released its first-quarter 2024 results on the morning of the meeting at 7:00 am Central time. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 The donor's gift lets 100-plus students, eventually closer to 150, start out debt-free. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett is not running a hedge fund or receiving an override (performance fee) on managing money. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 The United States has contributed most to the climate change problem, more than any other country. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other global risks
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 A significant number of Berkshire shareholders across the US have given $100 million or more to local charities. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said that the woman he was describing never took an accounting course and became, in his words, "the best business writer in the United States." Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Mostly true Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett first went to GEICO in 1950. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire paid over $5 billion in taxes to the US federal government in 2023. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett turned handling of the real estate brokerage settlement over 100% to Craig (Berkshire HomeServices), who kept him informed. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett read through the Moody's Transportation Manual a couple of times when he was about 20 or 21. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire has created an insurance structure that did not exist when Ajit Jain joined in 1986. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Mostly true Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett said that the previous year he had said that developing nuclear weapons let a genie out of the bottle, and that the genie has been doing terrible things lately. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other global risks
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett kept Berkshire in the textile business as long as he did partly because he liked Ken Chase, who ran it. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 A great many Berkshire shareholders make large charitable gifts anonymously. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 A Berkshire shareholder gave away about a billion dollars of Berkshire stock to other people. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 GEICO has lower costs than virtually any other auto insurer. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Buffett does not get phone calls from Berkshire's operating managers. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Resolved true Factual 5 May 2024 Bill Gates is working on batteries that last longer. Factual · 5 May 2024 Technology
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Greg Abel became Berkshire vice chairman in charge of everything except insurance, expanding his role. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Abraham Lincoln was one of the four US presidents who died without a will. Factual · 5 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire is paying a 21% federal tax rate on the gains it is realizing from selling Apple shares. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 A couple of Berkshire directors had doubts about buying into Pilot, and the Pilot investment is working out well for Berkshire. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire has not historically been very tough on managers who coasted. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 The person Buffett referred to correctly predicted that output per capita would grow at the rapid rate it has since. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Statistics for Ty Cobb were found faulty in the 1990s, and he actually batted .366 career. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 In the 1930s, Senator George Norris turned Nebraska into a public power state. Factual · 5 May 2024 AI policy and governance
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire's net worth has grown from $20 million to $570 billion under Buffett. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 The US began with about half a percent of the world's population and now produces well over 20% of world output. Factual · 5 May 2024 Economics and markets
Own records only Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire needed Disney's approval to use the Desperate Housewives actresses in its meeting movie, and the approval was easily obtained. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 5 May 2024 Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiary companies made acquisitions during the year. Factual · 5 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Unresolvable Factual 5 May 2024 When Buffett was born in 1930 the world population was essentially 2 billion; it is now 8 billion. Factual · 5 May 2024 Other
Own records only Factual 4 May 2024 Berkshire's operating executives overwhelmingly prefer to talk to Greg Abel and Ajit Jain rather than to Buffett. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 Four American presidents died intestate, without a will. Factual · 4 May 2024 Other
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 A couple of Berkshire's directors had doubts about the Pilot deal going in, and Pilot is working out well for Berkshire. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 Over 99% of Warren Buffett's assets are going to philanthropy. Factual · 4 May 2024 Philosophy, ethics and society
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 Berkshire Hathaway's net worth has grown from $20 million to $570 billion. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 In 1977 Buffett asked Carol Loomis to edit his Berkshire report, and she has edited the report every year through 2024. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 GEICO and Progressive have recently done a better job of matching insurance rates to risk. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 Buffett says 90% of people need help in buying or selling a home. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Mostly true Factual 4 May 2024 Berkshire has created an insurance structure that did not exist when Ajit Jain joined in 1986. Factual · 4 May 2024 Economics and markets
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 The United States, in particular, has contributed the most to causing climate change. Factual · 4 May 2024 Other global risks
Not researched Factual 4 May 2024 Ajit Jain will not participate in the afternoon session of the 2024 Berkshire annual meeting. Factual · 4 May 2024 Their own work or organisation
Back to the list

Factual Their own work or organisation

“Howard has been a Berkshire Director for 33 years.”

Warren Buffett, Berkshire chairman, signed shareholder letter 18 September 2026 Berkshire news release Sep 18, 2026 (Howard Buffett elected Chairman) (Berkshire Hathaway)

Howard Buffett has been a Berkshire director for 33 years.

Resolved true The record shows it happened or was so.

The evidence is the person's or their organisation's own records.

Said for an organisation they lead or work for; it counts on both records.

What would count as true or false

Use Berkshire proxy statements to find the year Howard G. Buffett joined the Berkshire board, and compare his continuous tenure as of 2026-09-18 with 33 years. True: his tenure is 33 years (start in 1992–1993, depending on the month), with continuous service. Mostly true: tenure is 32 or 34 years, or there was a minor break. Mixed: tenure is off by 2–3 years. Mostly false: tenure is off by more than 3 years, or he was no longer a director at that date while having served about that long. False: he was never a Berkshire director, or his tenure is far from 33 years.

Evidence

  1. Warren Buffett becomes Berkshire chairman emeritus at 96; son Howard takes over StockTitan (republishing Berkshire Hathaway Inc. news release and shareholder letter) · 18 September 2026 Own record
    “the Board has elected Howard G. Buffett, a Berkshire director since 1993, as Chairman of the Board.”

Reasoning

E2 republishes Berkshire Hathaway's official news release dated 2026-09-18. It describes Howard G. Buffett as "a Berkshire director since 1993" and says the Board elected him Chairman. Service starting in 1993 gives a tenure of about 33 years as of 2026-09-18, and the release shows he was still a director on that date, which supports the claim. This rests only on the company's own official announcement, not an independent source, and no proxy statement was provided.

Cite this claim

Warren Buffett, “Howard Buffett has been a Berkshire director for 33 years.” (said 18 September 2026). Verdict: resolved true. Reliability API, claim c_027c6966047b, method 0.1.0+28da144b. https://epistacklabs.com/claims/c_027c6966047b

Claims without a verdict

Is a verdict here wrong, or do you speak for Warren Buffett? Reply on the claim's own page, with the form at its foot (how replies work). Verdicts are made automatically; how verdicts and scores are made.