Larry Summers Takes Leave from Harvard Amid Epstein Email Fallout

Thu Nov 20 2025 05:38:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers goes on leave from Harvard amid scrutiny over his previous communications with Jeffrey Epstein, as the university starts a review process.

Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary and president of Harvard University, has taken a leave from his teaching positions as controversies over emails revealing his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein emerge. Following pressure and scrutiny from students and the university itself, Summers' spokesperson confirmed his departure as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers abruptly went on leave Wednesday from his teaching role at Harvard University amid fallout from recently released emails indicating a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, according to a spokesperson for Summers.

Despite earlier intentions to continue teaching economics classes, Summers’ decision to step back came as Harvard announced the commencement of a review process following the revelations. He will also temporarily vacate his position as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Mr. Summers has decided it’s in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave as Harvard undertakes its review, spokesperson Steven Goldberg stated. In his absence, Summers’ co-instructors will complete the remaining class sessions for the semester.

Harvard did not explicitly mention Summers by name when announcing the investigation. Still, this move corresponds with the scrutiny he faced after emails surfaced showing his cordial exchanges with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who maintained connections to many prominent figures even after the allegations against him.

By Wednesday, Summers had also ceased his connection with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, reflecting broader implications for his public engagements. His withdrawal from public commitments was prompted by the intense scrutiny he faced over his continued association with Epstein.

On Tuesday, Summers addressed his class, where he teaches 'The Political Economy of Globalization,' amidst the controversy, expressing regret and reflecting on the gravity of his previous communications with Epstein.

As a reminder, Epstein was known for his network among the wealthy and influential, which has fostered a continual narrative of conspiracy theories surrounding elite circles in America.

Summers served as the Treasury Secretary from 1999 to 2001 and was also president of Harvard from 2001 to 2006. Following his association with Epstein, Summers has stated his regret about the ties he maintained, which he described as a major error in judgment.