Larry Summers Resigns From Harvard

Former university president steps down from teaching amid review of Epstein files

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Larry Summers, the former Harvard president and prominent economist, will formally step down from teaching at the close of the academic year. The decision comes "in connection with" the university's review of newly released Justice Department documents detailing Summers' sustained ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters

Summers' resignation from Harvard amid the Epstein scandal raises questions about the university's vetting processes and oversight of high-profile faculty members' relationships with controversial figures.

The details

Summers has been on leave since November and will not return to the classroom before his departure. He has also resigned as co-director of Harvard's Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, a role he had held since 2011. Emails revealed that Summers had a long and friendly relationship with Epstein from at least 2013 to 2019, and even sought advice from Epstein on a relationship with a woman he described as a mentee.

  • Summers has been on leave since November 2025.
  • Summers will formally step down from teaching at the close of the 2025-2026 academic year.

The players

Larry Summers

A former Harvard president and prominent economist who is resigning from the university amid a review of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Harvard University

The prestigious university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Summers served as president and has been a longtime faculty member.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender whose relationship with Summers has led to the economist's resignation from Harvard.

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What they’re saying

“It's a difficult decision to resign, but I'm grateful for my five decades at Harvard and look forward to continuing my work on global economic issues through research and commentary as president emeritus and retired professor.”

— Larry Summers

What’s next

Harvard is expected to continue its review of Summers' relationship with Epstein and the implications for the university's oversight and vetting processes.

The takeaway

Summers' resignation highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and the need for universities to closely scrutinize the relationships of high-profile faculty members with controversial figures.