Updated Nov 17, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Larry Summers "stepping back" from public roles after Epstein files release

Rebecca Falconer

Larry Summers, a balding, bearded gray-haired president emeritus and professor at Harvard University, stares to the right while wearing a navy jacket and white, open-collar shirt during a September interview in New York . — Larry Summers, president emeritus and professor at Harvard University, during a September interview in New York. Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Newly released files on former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers' ties to Jeffrey Epstein prompted the president emeritus and professor at Harvard University to announce Monday he's "stepping back from public commitments."

The big picture: Both Democrats and Republicans have called on organizations to sever ties with Summers after documents released by the House Oversight Committee showed email exchanges between the former Treasury secretary and sex offender Epstein — including one where the late financier called himself Summers' "wing man."

Driving the news: The House panel released email exchanges between Epstein and Summers from 2013 to 2019.

Among the emails was one in which Summers appeared to be seeking advice on a relationship with a woman.
The revelations prompted both a senior Trump administration official and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to demand organizations call on businesses and institutions to cut ties with Summers.
Summers is on the board of OpenAI, which along with Harvard, did not immediately respond to Axios' Monday evening request for comment.

What he's saying: "I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused," Summers said in a statement shared with outlets including Axios. The Financial Times first reported the news.

"I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein," he added.

"While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me."

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Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.

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Larry Summers "stepping back" from public roles after Epstein files release

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