Larry Summers, the former Harvard University President and former director of the National Economic Council under President Barack Obama, has taken a step back from public life after a series of revelations about his past relationships with the late Jeffrey Epstein. In a recent class at Harvard, Summers addressed his past during a lecture, expressing regret over his communications with Epstein. ‘Some of you may have seen my statement of regret expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein, and that I’ve said that I’m going to step back from public activity for a time,’ he said, adding that it’s important to fulfill his teaching obligations.
The latest developments came as a result of the release of emails by the House committee, which detailed extensive correspondence between Summers and Epstein spanning several years. The documents included exchanges where Epstein referred to Summers as his ‘wingman,’ a term that has sparked significant public debate and scrutiny. The emails also indicated Epstein’s continued support for Summers even after his conviction, raising further questions about the nature of their relationship and the extent of Summers’ involvement.
In response to the disclosures, Harvard University has announced an internal review of faculty members’ connections to Epstein. The university’s statement to The Harvard Crimson noted that it is conducting an evaluation of the information to determine what actions may be required. Other Harvard faculty, including Alan Dershowitz, a well-known professor and legal expert, and Elisa F. New, who is married to Summers, have also been mentioned in the documents.
Public outrage has been palpable, with critics questioning how a figure of Summers’ stature could still hold a prominent position. Comments on social media have expressed disbelief and anger, with some calling the situation ‘diabolical’ and urging the public not to normalize the behavior. Harvard and Summers have not yet issued formal comments on the matter, leaving the situation open for further scrutiny and analysis in the coming days.