The David Rubenstein Show Bill Browder
Jan 16, 2026
Bill Browder, Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, shares his gripping journey from one of Russia's largest foreign investors to becoming a target of Vladimir Putin. He reveals how his advocacy for the Magnitsky Act transformed him into a fierce critic of the Kremlin. Browder discusses the personal risks he faces, the shocking details surrounding Sergei Magnitsky's tragic death, and the ongoing fight to freeze Russian assets to support Ukraine. His compelling insights provide a unique perspective on international finance and human rights.
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Becoming Putin’s Most Wanted Critic
- Bill Browder describes being a top target of Vladimir Putin after lobbying for the Magnitsky Act.
- He says Putin values money over life and chased him for freezing assets and banning visas of human-rights abusers.
Take Personal Security Seriously
- Take strong personal precautions when confronting authoritarian regimes that retaliate violently.
- Browder practices many precautions while continuing public advocacy despite real threats to his life.
Why The War Has No Easy Exit
- Putin won't back down because the war secures his hold on power.
- Browder frames the war as survival for Ukraine and regime preservation for Putin, making negotiated withdrawal unlikely.