Davos forum CEO Brende resigns after Epstein links revealed
France 24 Europe
by FRANCE 24February 26, 2026
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Davos forum CEO Borge Brende has resigned following an investigation into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The announcement came after the US Justice Department revealed that Brende had dined with Epstein three times and communicated with him via email and text messages. Brende, who led the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2017, stated in a resignation letter that he regretted not thoroughly investigating Epstein before their first meeting in 2018. He emphasized that his decision was aimed at allowing the WEF to focus on its work without distractions.
The independent review conducted by outside counsel found no additional concerns beyond what had already been disclosed. The investigation concluded that Brende’s interactions with Epstein did not raise new issues, but the timing of the revelations has still cast doubt over the WEF’s ability to maintain trust with its stakeholders. Following Brende’s departure, Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO, while the Board of Trustees oversees the leadership transition and plans to identify a permanent successor.
The Epstein scandal has broader implications, with his ties to influential figures like former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and members of the British royal family under close scrutiny. The release of over 3 million pages of documents by the US Justice Department has sparked widespread concern about potential cover-ups and prompted criminal investigations against several high-profile individuals.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by global institutions in managing relationships with controversial figures. For the WEF, a forum known for bringing together world leaders to discuss critical issues, the resignation of its CEO underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and transparency. As the investigation continues, the focus will likely shift to how the organization can rebuild trust and ensure that such incidents do not undermine its mission to address pressing global challenges.
The fallout from Epstein’s connections has reached far beyond individual reputations, raising questions about the ethical standards of international
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Originally published on France 24 Europe on 2/26/2026