Larry Summers is leaving his Harvard teaching job following the release of personal emails with Jeffrey Epstein
Business Insider
February 25, 2026
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Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President, has announced his retirement from his position as a professor at Harvard following the release of personal emails involving Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender. The emails, obtained by federal authorities, revealed that Summers sought advice from Epstein on pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee. Additionally, the correspondence included a sexist remark about women's intelligence and an instance where Epstein referred to himself as Summers' "wingman."
Summers' decision comes amid ongoing investigations by Harvard into his ties to Epstein, which were first brought to light in November 2023. The university has suspended him from his teaching duties since last November and confirmed that he will step down as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. While Summers plans to continue working in other capacities, such as research and commentary on global economic issues, he will no longer hold a formal academic role at Harvard.
This development matters to business readers as Summers is a prominent figure in economics and public policy. His connections to Epstein have already led to professional consequences, including his expulsion from the American Economic Association and resignation from OpenAI's board. The fallout highlights the ongoing scrutiny of influential figures tied to Epstein and underscores the potential reputational and career risks associated with such associations.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/25/2026