On Wednesday, Larry Summers, the former Harvard University President and economics professor, addressed his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein during a lecture, expressing regret and shame over his communications with the late financier. Summers, who has stepped back from public duties and resigned from the OpenAI board, made the statement while beginning his class at the Ivy League institution, acknowledging the controversy in a TikTok video recorded by a student.
The former official, who held significant roles in both academic and political spheres, including serving as Harvard’s president from 2001 to 2006 and later as a senior advisor during the Obama administration, faced renewed scrutiny as the House committee released emails revealing years of correspondence between Summers and Epstein. Among the emails, Epstein referred to Summers as his ‘wingman,’ indicating a close personal relationship. The documents, spanning from 2013 to 2019, also highlight Epstein’s support for Summers, even after his conviction.
Harvard University has responded by launching an internal review of faculty members’ connections to Epstein, as reported by the Harvard Crimson. Other staff members, including legal scholars and professors, also appeared in the released documents. The university stated it is evaluating the information to determine what actions may be warranted. In a statement, Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain confirmed that the review involves faculty members included in the Epstein documents, with the university remaining focused on addressing the situation.
In addition to the internal review, the controversy has sparked public outcry. Online reactions have been largely critical, with some describing the situation as ‘diabolical’ and questioning how Summers could still have a position within the academic community. Some commentators expressed outrage over the normalization of such ties, emphasizing the need for accountability. Despite the calls for comment, no official response from Harvard or Summers has been issued as of yet.
Summers’ resignation from the OpenAI board marks another significant development in the fallout from his ties to Epstein, signaling a broader pattern of accountability in both academic and corporate spheres. The controversy has underscored the ongoing scrutiny of past associations, particularly in light of Epstein’s extensive criminal history and the implications of his connections to high-profile individuals.