• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechWarren Buffett

Warren Buffett Doesn’t Think Twitter Has Helped Elon Musk Much

By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jonathan Vanian
Jonathan Vanian
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 30, 2018, 2:07 PM ET

Warren Buffett has chimed in on Elon Musk’s voracious Twitter habits that have sparked much controversy in recent months.

“I don’t think it’s helped him a lot,” Buffett said while gently laughing in an interview with CNBC in an interview on Thursday. The Oracle of Omaha was amused when the interviewer brought up Musk’s Twitter musings because the Tesla (TSLA) CEO attracted much scrutiny over an Aug. 7 tweet that suggested he wanted to take his electric car company private, among other controversial tweets.

Although Musk reversed course and said last week that Tesla will remain a public company, his comments reportedly led to a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation and shareholder lawsuits that alleged he made false claims to raise the price of his company’s stock.

Buffett acknowledged the potential legal issues that could occur if CEOs were to discuss proposed financial deals on a popular social messaging service open to anyone in the public to read and comment on.

“It would be particularly dangerous to start commenting about Berkshire daily, which I never would do,” Buffett said regarding tweeting about his conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway.

Regarding tweeting in general, Buffet said he doesn’t “see a reason to” and that he puts out an annual report instead that contains his thoughts on business.

“I do not have a daily view on all kinds of things,” he said. “I just think there’s other things in life I want to do than tweet.”

Buffet also acknowledged that he’s familiar with a fake Warren Buffett Twitter account that earned minor acclaim in recent days for posting trite business and life-skill tips like “stay healthy and fit” and “keep in touch with friends.”

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

“This copycat imitator, he’s putting out better stuff than I would,” Buffet said clearly amused. “If he puts out enough good advice I’ll take credit for it.”

About the Author
By Jonathan Vanian
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Jonathan Vanian is a former Fortune reporter. He covered business technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and other topics.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Lists Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Lists Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

David’s Bridal exec has a warning for every CEO obsessed with AI’s return-on-investment
Retailinvestments
David’s Bridal exec has a warning for every CEO obsessed with AI’s return-on-investment
By Alex Vuocolo and Retail BrewApril 22, 2026
12 minutes ago
frank
CommentaryVisa
Visa CMO: AI agents are your new customers — here’s how to sell to them
By Frank Cooper IIIApril 22, 2026
22 minutes ago
President Donald Trump
AITariffs
The AI boom is singlehandedly carrying the U.S. import market—and adding $200 billion to the trade deficit, Fed study finds
By Tristan BoveApril 22, 2026
2 hours ago
shlomit
Commentarycyber
The Mythos meeting focused on the wrong AI risk to banks. Here’s the one nobody is talking about
By Shlomit WagmanApril 22, 2026
3 hours ago
The internet isn’t just like real life, a top VC says — it is real life. For a16z, that’s not philosophy, it’s an investment
Startups & Venturedigital economy
The internet isn’t just like real life, a top VC says — it is real life. For a16z, that’s not philosophy, it’s an investment
By Nick LichtenbergApril 22, 2026
3 hours ago
helium
AIData centers
The AI economy runs on helium. The Iran war just created a $650 billion problem
By Nick LichtenbergApril 22, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

The tables have turned: Florida and Texas are the biggest losers in the housing market as Ohio emerges a surprise winner
Real Estate
The tables have turned: Florida and Texas are the biggest losers in the housing market as Ohio emerges a surprise winner
By Sydney LakeApril 21, 2026
1 day ago
'Something sinister could be happening': FBI looks into dead or missing nuclear and space defense scientists tied to NASA, Blue Origin, and SpaceX
Politics
'Something sinister could be happening': FBI looks into dead or missing nuclear and space defense scientists tied to NASA, Blue Origin, and SpaceX
By Catherina GioinoApril 21, 2026
1 day ago
‘Something sinister’: What we know about the FBI probe into dead and missing scientists linked to space and military industries
Economy
‘Something sinister’: What we know about the FBI probe into dead and missing scientists linked to space and military industries
By Jim EdwardsApril 22, 2026
9 hours ago
$166 billion in tariff refunds just became available, but small businesses may already be at a disadvantage
Law
$166 billion in tariff refunds just became available, but small businesses may already be at a disadvantage
By Sasha RogelbergApril 20, 2026
2 days ago
John Ternus, the man stepping into Tim Cook and Steve Jobs' shoes, is a 25-year Apple veteran with zero LinkedIn posts
C-Suite
John Ternus, the man stepping into Tim Cook and Steve Jobs' shoes, is a 25-year Apple veteran with zero LinkedIn posts
By Kelvin Chan and The Associated PressApril 21, 2026
1 day ago
Jeff Bezos once gave Eva Longoria and the admiral behind Osama bin Laden's capture $100 million—but she says you don't need wealth to give back
Success
Jeff Bezos once gave Eva Longoria and the admiral behind Osama bin Laden's capture $100 million—but she says you don't need wealth to give back
By Orianna Rosa RoyleApril 21, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.