Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, one of the most influential economists of the last half-century, is abruptly stepping away from multiple high-profile roles as Harvard University launches a formal review into faculty ties to Jeffrey Epstein and newly released congressional documents reveal extensive email exchanges between the two men.

Summers — a former Harvard president, longtime professor, and adviser to two Democratic administrations — announced Wednesday night that he would temporarily withdraw from his teaching responsibilities while the university examines the materials. Earlier that same day, he also resigned from his position on the board of OpenAI, signaling a rapid and sweeping reduction in his public engagement.

The developments come after the House Oversight Committee released more than 20,000 documents from Epstein’s estate, including email correspondence that showed Summers and Epstein were in communication as recently as mid-2019.

Summers has not been accused of participating in any criminal activity associated with Epstein. But his continued communication with the disgraced financier — years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction — has renewed questions about why numerous highly placed academics, politicians, and philanthropists continued interacting with Epstein long after his legal troubles became public.

For Summers, the fallout has been immediate and unusually far-reaching.

Harvard Announces Review as Summers Steps Away From Teaching

A Harvard spokesperson confirmed that the university will evaluate information contained in the newly released documents to determine whether any actions are warranted.

In a statement to The Harvard Crimson, Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain said:

“Harvard is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted.”

Summers’ departure from teaching duties came shortly afterward.

His spokesperson, Steven Goldberg, told NBC News:

“His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester.”

Summers will also step aside temporarily as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The moves represent an extraordinary shift for someone long considered part of the intellectual center of Harvard public policy circles.

Summers Resigns From OpenAI Board the Same Day

In a separate announcement Wednesday, Summers said he would resign from the OpenAI board of directors, which he joined in late 2023 during a period of major transition at the pioneering artificial-intelligence company.

“In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI,” Summers said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress.”

OpenAI’s board responded diplomatically:

“We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board.”

Summers’ exit marks the second high-profile board departure in less than a year for the company, which continues to navigate rapid growth and a shifting regulatory environment.

Summers’ Statement: “I Take Full Responsibility”

Summers’ decisions to step back from teaching and to resign from OpenAI followed a statement this week acknowledging regret over his continued communication with Epstein.

“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” Summers said. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.”

He added that he would step back from his public commitments and reflect on those choices.

It is rare for a senior figure in academia or government to speak so directly about lapses in judgment involving Epstein, whose network of contacts spanned Wall Street, academia, politics, philanthropy, and global diplomacy.

What the Emails Revealed

The House Oversight Committee’s release included previously unseen communications between Summers and Epstein from 2013 through 2019.
The correspondence showed:

Summers seeking Epstein’s advice about a personal mentoring relationship

Summers discussing social interactions

Conversations about travel and logistics

Exchanges referencing fundraising-related conversations and introductions

In one email exchange, Summers asked Epstein for advice about his relationship with an unnamed mentee. Epstein replied that he was a “pretty good wing man,” according to summaries of the documents.

In another message, Summers lamented that men who “hit on” women in workplace settings could face serious repercussions.

Summers has not been accused of any unlawful behavior, and none of the emails allege criminal conduct.
They do, however, underscore the staying power of Epstein’s influence long after his 2008 conviction for solicitation involving a minor — a fact central to Harvard’s decision to review the matter.

Epstein’s Association With Harvard: A Long-Running Point of Scrutiny

Harvard has grappled for years with questions surrounding Epstein’s donations and relationships with faculty.
Although the university says it rejected additional gifts after 2008, Epstein maintained social ties with multiple Harvard affiliates, visited the campus, and continued exchanging emails with high-profile figures in academic circles.

Harvard commissioned an internal report in 2020, concluding that the university had accepted more than $9 million in gifts from Epstein between 1998 and 2007.

Summers’ communications with Epstein occurred after his presidency at Harvard and after Epstein’s conviction — a fact Harvard is now examining again in light of the newly uncovered email exchanges.

Media Fallout: Summers Loses Roles at The New York Times and Bloomberg

Two major news organizations announced this week that they are ending their relationships with Summers.

A spokesperson for The New York Times said the paper would not renew his contract as a contributing opinion writer.

Separately, Bloomberg News confirmed that Summers is no longer a paid contributor.
Summers had been a frequent guest on Bloomberg’s “Wall Street Week,” a flagship program featuring top economic thinkers.

Summers continues to remain a highly influential economist, but the loss of two major media platforms further deepens the impact of the escalating controversy.

Summers’ Government Career: A Towering Influence in Democratic Economic Policy

Summers served as:

Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton

Director of the National Economic Council under President Barack Obama

President of Harvard University from 2001–2006

A senior adviser on multiple domestic and international economic panels

His blend of academic and policy experience made him a central voice in debates over financial regulation, economic recovery, and globalization. His more recent commentary focused on inflation trends, deficits, and AI governance.

For someone so deeply embedded in elite academic and policy institutions, the events of the last week mark a dramatic reversal.

Political Repercussions: Trump Targets Summers in New Investigative Push

The release of Epstein communications also drew a quick political response.

Former President Donald Trump, who appears frequently in the newly released communications due to his past social association with Epstein, said he would direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein’s involvement with prominent Democrats, including Summers and former President Clinton.

Trump wrote that the review should determine whether influential political, academic, or philanthropic figures maintained improper relationships with Epstein after his 2008 conviction.

Bondi responded that she had assigned Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to examine the matter — a decision that could prompt federal inquiries into multiple individuals named in the emails.

It remains unclear whether these reviews will result in any legal findings.

A Rapid Unraveling: From Respected Advisor to Public Controversy

Within just one week:

Summers acknowledged regret for maintaining contact with Epstein

Harvard opened a formal review

The former Treasury Secretary paused teaching

He stepped aside from directing his policy center

He resigned from the OpenAI board

Two major media outlets severed their ties with him

Political scrutiny intensified from the highest levels of government

The cascade of developments marks one of the most abrupt public retreats by a major U.S. academic and policy figure in recent memory.

What Happens Next?

Harvard’s review is ongoing.
OpenAI has moved forward with its remaining board members.
Federal officials may launch broader inquiries depending on political and legal developments.

Summers, for his part, has signaled that he will continue reflecting on the choices that led to this moment — while maintaining a quieter presence in public life. He has not indicated when or whether he plans to return to teaching.

For the university, the controversy is part of a larger effort to understand the full scope of Epstein’s involvement with scholars, donors, and research centers.

For policymakers, the episode underscores the lasting relevance of Epstein’s network — and the questions that linger about why so many public figures continued communicating with him long after his conviction.

And for Summers personally, the events of the last week mark a dramatic inflection point in a career that spanned the highest levels of academia, government, and finance.