Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard President Faces Scrutiny After Private Correspondence with Epstein Surfaces
Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard University president, announced his resignation from OpenAI’s board and indicated stepping back from teaching duties at Harvard following newly released emails revealing personal communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The emails, released by a House Oversight Committee, show years of private correspondence between Summers and Epstein, including some inappropriate remarks and requests for romantic advice, reigniting public and institutional scrutiny.
In a statement, Summers expressed deep shame over his actions and the pain caused, taking full responsibility for continuing his relationship with Epstein despite warnings and public controversies.
Summers has decided to withdraw from most public roles including his board position at OpenAI, while Harvard confirmed he will not complete the current semester and will not teach the upcoming semester. He will also take immediate leave as director of Harvard’s Moss-Rahfor Business Government.
OpenAI’s board acknowledged and respected Summers’s decision to resign, thanking him for his significant contributions and insights during his tenure since 2023, coinciding with CEO Sam Altman’s reinstatement.
The ongoing investigation by Harvard into Summers’s ties to Epstein has drawn calls from prominent figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren to sever the university’s affiliation with him.
Summers holds a controversial legacy including previous resignations and criticisms during his Harvard presidency, and this new scandal compounds public and political scrutiny.
While no evidence suggests Summers’s involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities, his continued association with Epstein remains a deeply sensitive issue.
This resignation marks a significant fallout for Summers as institutions strive to distance themselves from the Epstein scandal while balancing legal and reputational consequences.
