Resignations Mount Over Ties to Epstein

High-profile figures from media, academia, and business have stepped down amid revelations of connections to the late sex offender.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The tally of prominent individuals forced to relinquish their positions over past ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues to grow, with the latest resignations coming from the World Economic Forum's president and CEO, Børge Brende, as well as former Harvard President Larry Summers and Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Richard Axel. The Epstein-related records published by the Department of Justice have exposed a broad network of contacts the disgraced financier cultivated before his death in 2019.

Why it matters

Being named in the Epstein files, even without evidence of wrongdoing, has led to reputational damage and criminal investigations for the high-profile people featured, as well as their companies. The fallout highlights the far-reaching consequences of Epstein's web of connections across media, academia, and business circles.

The details

In Thursday's announcement, the WEF said its investigation into Brende's Epstein ties revealed 'no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.' Brende cited fears that the case could distract from the WEF's mission as the reason for his resignation. Summers and Axel also announced they would be stepping down from their academic posts at Harvard and Columbia, respectively, following new revelations about their relationships with Epstein. Other recent resignations over Epstein ties include CBS News contributor Peter Attia, Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler, and several government officials in Norway and Slovakia.

  • On February 23, physician and health influencer Peter Attia resigned from his newly appointed role as a CBS News contributor.
  • On February 12, former White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler resigned from her post as Goldman Sachs' chief legal officer and general counsel.
  • On January 31, Slovakian diplomat Miroslav Lajčák resigned after DOJ documents revealed extensive correspondence with Epstein.

The players

Børge Brende

The president and CEO of the World Economic Forum who resigned after an investigation into his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Larry Summers

The former Harvard president and Treasury secretary who is resigning from his Harvard professorship and co-director role at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.

Richard Axel

The Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist who is stepping down as co-director of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and resigning from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Peter Attia

The physician and health influencer who resigned from his role as a CBS News contributor.

Kathy Ruemmler

The former White House counsel to Obama who resigned from her post as Goldman Sachs' chief legal officer and general counsel.

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What they’re saying

“What has emerged about Epstein's appalling conduct, the harm that he has caused to so many people, makes my association with him all the more painful and inexcusable.”

— Richard Axel, Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist

“I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner.”

— Thomas Pritzker, Billionaire scion of the Pritzker family

What’s next

Calls for further resignations are ongoing over ties to Epstein, including those aimed at Casey Wasserman, CEO of the Wasserman talent agency, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The takeaway

The Epstein scandal has led to a wave of high-profile resignations, underscoring the far-reaching reputational damage and legal consequences that can result from even peripheral associations with the disgraced financier. This case highlights the importance of thorough vetting and the need for greater transparency around the relationships between influential figures and those accused of serious crimes.