Warren Buffett to CNBC: CEOs Don't Need To Put Political Beliefs Into 'Blind Trust'

David Grogan/CNBC

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett says CEOs of major companies don't need to put their political beliefs into a "blind trust."

During his "Ask Warren" live appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box, a viewer's email suggested a CEO of a major company has a fiduciary responsibility to shareholders to "not get into such a public and antagonistic debate," such as the fight over taxes.

Buffett 's response: "I don't think you give up your citizenship."

He adds that he's never asked any of Berkshire's employees about their political views or asked anyone to keep their beliefs to themselves.

"My cleaning lady Mary does not have a voice. She does not have a Super Pac. She can't spend $10 million to influence under free speech. You know, free speech for her is something you can read about in the first amendment. It doesn't mean a thing. I do have some kind of an ability to speak out, and I think if you have an ability to speak out and you see things you think are wrong, you ought to talk about it."

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