Larry Summers, the former Harvard president and U.S. Treasury secretary, will stop teaching at Harvard University following the release of emails revealing his past communications with Jeffrey Epstein. According to multiple reports, Summers has stepped away from both his teaching duties and his leadership position at a key research center as Harvard launches a renewed review into his ties with the disgraced financier.
Summers’ decision marks a dramatic shift from his earlier statements. Just days before the announcement, he told students that he intended to continue teaching despite stepping back from public activities. But the release of additional Epstein-related correspondence — including emails showing Summers maintained contact with Epstein for years after the financier’s first conviction — has intensified backlash from students, faculty, and public officials.
In a statement issued earlier this week, Summers said he felt “deep shame” over his interactions with Epstein and accepted “full responsibility” for what he called “serious lapses in judgment.” He insisted he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities at the time but acknowledged that continuing to correspond with him was a mistake. The emails, which were released as part of an ongoing transparency push surrounding Epstein’s network, show that Summers sought advice, financial connections, and introductions through Epstein long after the financier had become a controversial figure.
As part of his withdrawal, Summers is also taking leave from his role as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. A spokesperson for Summers confirmed that other instructors would finish the remaining sessions of his undergraduate economics course and that he is not scheduled to teach in the upcoming semester.
Harvard officials have declined to comment on personnel matters but confirmed that the university is conducting a broader review of faculty and institutional ties to Epstein. The school has previously faced criticism for accepting millions in donations from Epstein and for its handling of related disclosures. The renewed investigation reflects heightened institutional pressure as more Epstein-related materials continue to emerge publicly.
Students at Harvard have expressed mixed reactions. Some argue that Summers’ departure is necessary to preserve Harvard’s academic integrity, while others note that he remains a highly respected economist whose actions, while regrettable, do not diminish his scholarly contributions. Still, the controversy has sparked broader conversations on campus about ethics, influence, and accountability among senior academic leaders.
Politically, the fallout is significant as well. Public figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren have criticized Summers, arguing that his continued interactions with Epstein demonstrate poor judgment unfit for individuals in positions of influence. Critics contend that Summers should have recognized the reputational and ethical risks long before any emails surfaced.
As the university review proceeds, Summers’ future at Harvard remains uncertain. For now, his withdrawal from teaching marks one of the most consequential public repercussions faced by a prominent academic figure linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The episode underscores how Epstein’s legacy continues to reshape institutions, reputations, and long-standing relationships years after his death.
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