Larry Summers Steps Back from Public Life Amid Epstein Email Controversy

Wed Nov 19 2025 01:35:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former Harvard University president Larry Summers announces he will retreat from public engagements following the release of emails revealing his communications with Jeffrey Epstein. He expresses deep remorse and a commitment to rebuild trust.

Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University, has declared he will reduce his public commitments after emails with Jeffrey Epstein surfaced, indicating ongoing communication until Epstein's arrest in 2019. In a statement, Summers acknowledged feeling deep shame for his actions and stressed his intent to repair relationships. He remains a professor and affiliated with OpenAI but has already ended ties with the Center for American Progress. As investigations into Epstein's connections continue, Summers' acknowledgment of responsibility highlights the far-reaching fallout of the scandal.

Former Harvard University president Larry Summers has announced he will step back from public commitments following the release of emails that revealed his communications with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused, he stated in an interview.

The emails, released by a House committee last week, showed that Summers, who previously served as U.S. Treasury Secretary, was in contact with Epstein up until the day before Epstein's arrest in 2019 for alleged sex trafficking of minors.

House members are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a measure to release all remaining Epstein-related documents. The measure will move to the Senate and require the approval of President Donald Trump.

Summers served as Treasury Secretary under former President Bill Clinton and has been a prominent figure in academia and economics. He was president of Harvard from 2001 to 2006 and currently teaches there.

In his Monday statement, Summers accepted full responsibility for his decision to maintain communication with Epstein and expressed his desire to rebuild trust with those around him. While he intends to continue fulfilling his teaching obligations, he will be stepping back from public engagements as part of his broader aim for self-repair.

The Center for American Progress, where Summers was a senior fellow, also announced his departure from the organization. He remains on the board of OpenAI, although it remains unclear whether he will continue in that role.

The fallout from Epstein's case continues, with the U.S. Department of Justice opening investigations into Epstein's connections with prominent figures, including Bill Clinton, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Summers' decision to step back highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding connections to Epstein, as the emails indicate significant interaction between him and several high-profile individuals, including discussions about influential global figures and meetings at the behest of Epstein.