Larry Summers Takes Leave from Harvard Amid Epstein Controversy

Thu Nov 20 2025 05:29:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has decided to go on leave from his teaching role at Harvard due to recently uncovered emails revealing his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, prompting internal reviews at the university.

Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard president, has taken an abrupt leave from his teaching position at Harvard following the emergence of emails indicating a friendly rapport with Jeffrey Epstein. These revelations have led to increased scrutiny and public backlash, prompting Summers to step back from his roles amidst ongoing investigations. While he initially maintained his teaching commitments, he ultimately withdrew, advising that his co-teachers will complete the remaining sessions of his economics courses. Summers acknowledged regret over his associations with Epstein, emphasizing this was a misjudgment on his part.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers abruptly went on leave Wednesday from his teaching at Harvard University as scrutiny intensified over recently released emails showing his friendly relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. A spokesperson for Summers confirmed the news, stating the decision was made in the best interest of both his teaching roles and the university's ongoing review.

Initially, despite facing backlash, Summers had planned to continue teaching economics at Harvard. However, the recent revelations prompted him to sever ties with various organizations and step away from his role as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School.

Mr. Summers has decided it’s in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave as Harvard undertakes its review. His co-teachers will complete the remaining class sessions this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester, said Summers' spokesperson, Steven Goldberg.

The emails reveal that Summers sought advice from Epstein regarding personal matters, including pursuing a romantic relationship with someone he viewed as an “economic mentor.” Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008, had longstanding associations with powerful individuals, leading to widespread scrutiny.

Summers’ decision comes on the heels of a broader investigation into past associations between Epstein and Harvard. While the university's recent announcement did not explicitly mention Summers, the timing was notably correlated with the public unveiling of the emails, which disclosed Summers’ interactions with Epstein as recently as 2018.

On Tuesday, during a class session in which he taught The Political Economy of Globalization, Summers expressed regret about his association with Epstein. Students documented his appearance, showcasing a noticeable tension surrounding his continued teaching amidst the controversy.

As the fallout continues, Summers has faced the loss of various public roles, including contributions to media outlets and positions with organizations such as the Center for American Progress. His retraction from public engagements reflects the growing pressure surrounding the revelations tied to Epstein’s network of influential connections.

Summers served as treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 and was Harvard's president from 2001 to 2006. In light of this recent scandal, he has expressed regret over his connections to Epstein, acknowledging them as significant errors in judgment.