UPDATE: Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has resigned from his position at Harvard University effective immediately as the prestigious institution launches an investigation into his ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. This significant development comes amidst growing backlash from students and faculty demanding accountability.
Summers, 70, will not complete his fall semester lectures and is stepping down from his role as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. A spokesperson confirmed his resignation hours after the university announced it would review new documents related to Epstein, who donated over $9 million to Harvard before his death in 2019.
In a statement, Summers expressed regret over his association with Epstein, acknowledging the pain his actions have caused. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein,” he stated, vowing to step back from public commitments to rebuild trust.
This decision follows intense scrutiny of Summers’s communications with Epstein between 2013 and 2019, where he sought advice on personal matters, including his romantic life. Notably, Summers referred to Epstein as his “wingman,” further complicating his image as an academic leader.
Pressure has been mounting from prominent figures, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who publicly urged Harvard to sever ties with Summers. She criticized his “monumentally bad judgment” in maintaining a friendship with Epstein, particularly given his role as a mentor to young students.
“Mr. Summers cannot be trusted with young college students,” Warren emphasized during an interview with CNN.
Summers’s exit from Harvard marks a significant shift for the university, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. His previous roles include serving as Harvard’s president from 2001 to 2006 and as Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton. However, his past controversies, including a no-confidence vote during his presidency, have continually overshadowed his academic contributions.
In addition to resigning from Harvard, Summers has severed ties with several organizations, including the Center for American Progress and OpenAI, where he was a board member. OpenAI confirmed his resignation, stating they respect his decision and appreciated his contributions.
As the investigation unfolds, the university aims to address the implications of Epstein’s connections within its academic community. Harvard officials have indicated plans to revise guidelines for accepting potentially controversial donations and to enhance scrutiny of relationships with external entities.
The fallout from this scandal highlights a broader conversation about accountability and ethics in academia, particularly regarding associations with individuals like Epstein. Students and faculty alike are calling for transparency as Harvard navigates this complex issue.
What happens next remains to be seen as the university embarks on its review. The implications for Summers and Harvard could shape the institution’s policies and reputation in the coming months.
For now, the academic community watches closely as developments continue to unfold in this urgent and evolving story.
