Larry Summers Will Resign From Harvard After Jeffrey Epstein Revelations

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by Mark Arsenault

February 25, 2026

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Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University, has announced his resignation following revelations about his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier. Documents uncovered revealed a closer connection between Summers and Epstein than previously disclosed, leading Summers to step back from teaching earlier this year. His departure will be effective at the end of the current academic year. Summers' decision comes amid growing scrutiny over his ties to Epstein, who was known for his connections to influential figures in academia, politics, and finance. The documents in question, obtained by The Washington Post, suggest that Summers attended Epstein's private Caribbean island retreats and communicated with him more frequently than he had publicly acknowledged. These details have raised questions about the extent of their relationship and how it might have influenced academic or institutional decisions during Summers' tenure as Harvard's president. The situation highlights broader concerns about transparency and accountability in academia, particularly regarding relationships between high-profile figures and individuals with questionable ethics. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges related to trafficking minors, has been linked to multiple allegations of misconduct. The surfacing of these connections to a former Harvard leader underscores the importance of holding institutions and their leaders to rigorous ethical standards. For readers interested in news about higher education and institutional integrity, this

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/25/2026