Ex-Clinton Official’s Epstein Ties Underneath Additional Overview After Shock Resignation
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has resigned from his teaching gig at Harvard University over his relationship with notorious sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers, a prominent economist at the university, announced Wednesday that he will resign from his professorship and other faculty appointments at Harvard University at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. This decision follows increased public scrutiny related to his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement, Summers described the choice as difficult and expressed appreciation for his long tenure at the university. He noted that he would always be grateful to the thousands of students and colleagues he had taught and worked with since arriving at Harvard as a graduate student 50 years earlier.
Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton confirmed the resignation, stating that Summers would remain on leave until the end of the academic year. During this period, he would not resume teaching or accept new advisees.
Summers has also stepped down from his position as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, Newton noted.
The resignation brings an end to uncertainty between Summers and the university since he first became ensnared in the Epstein controversy last year. On November 19, 2025, Summers was placed on leave from his teaching responsibilities and leadership role at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center.
This step occurred after the release of documents and emails by House lawmakers that detailed his communications with Epstein. The materials indicated a closer ongoing relationship than had been previously reported publicly.
Emails showed that Summers continued corresponding with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. In some exchanges, Summers sought personal advice, including on pursuing a romantic interest, and referred to Epstein as a “very good wingman.”
Summers has not been accused of any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities, though he has conceded that the two were friends and social acquaintances.
The association between the originated during Summers’ presidency at Harvard from 2001 to 2006, when Epstein received an office at the university and pledged $25 million toward a program. Summers also flew on Epstein’s private plane multiple times, including during his time as president.
In earlier public comments, Summers described his continued contact with Epstein after the 2008 conviction as a major error in judgment. He expressed that he was deeply ashamed of those actions and took responsibility for them.
Summers had previously served as the university’s 27th president from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2006. His presidency involved initiatives to expand Harvard’s international programs and investments in science and engineering.
However, it faced controversies, including a public disagreement with professor Cornel West in 2001 over academic and external activities, which led West to depart for Princeton University.
In January 2005, Summers delivered remarks at a National Bureau of Economic Research conference suggesting possible innate differences contributing to gender disparities in science and engineering fields, prompting widespread criticism and a faculty no-confidence vote in March 2005. Financial issues also arose involving a protégé, leading to a settlement payment by Harvard.
Summers announced his resignation as president on February 21, 2006, effective at the end of that academic year, citing the need for the institution to progress amid ongoing challenges. He then took a one-year paid sabbatical before returning to Harvard as the Charles W. Eliot University Professor, a position he held until recent events.