Larry Summers Steps Down from Harvard Over Epstein Connection

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has announced his resignation from all roles at Harvard University due to his connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Harvard confirmed his decision on Wednesday, indicating that Summers will officially retire at the end of the academic year but will remain on leave until then.

Summers’ resignation follows revelations from messages exchanged between him and Epstein, which were made public by the House Oversight Committee in November 2023. These communications highlighted a regular correspondence between the two, even after Epstein’s guilty plea to prostitution charges in Florida, prior to his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019.

In his statement, Summers expressed gratitude for his time at Harvard, stating, “I have made the difficult decision to retire from my Harvard professorship at the end of this academic year. I will always be grateful to the thousands of students and colleagues I have been privileged to teach and work with since coming to Harvard as a graduate student 50 years ago.” He added, “Free of formal responsibility, as President Emeritus and a retired professor, I look forward in time to engaging in research, analysis, and commentary on a range of global economic issues.”

Summers served as president of Harvard from 2001 to 2006, following his role as treasury secretary under then-President Bill Clinton from 1999 to 2001. He later headed the National Economic Council during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2011. His extensive career included board positions at various organizations, but he stepped down from numerous roles, including the board of AI company OpenAI and contributions to media outlets like Bloomberg News and The New York Times.

While Summers has not faced any accusations of wrongdoing, the implications of his relationship with Epstein have prompted significant scrutiny. The released messages shed light on their interactions during a time when Epstein was already under legal scrutiny for serious criminal charges.

As the academic community reacts to this development, Summers’ departure marks the end of a notable chapter in his long-standing association with Harvard University. His future endeavors will likely focus on economic research and commentary, aiming to contribute to global discussions on pressing economic issues.