Head of World Economic Forum resigns over ties to Epstein

Borge Brende steps down as WEF president following independent review into his relationship with the late sex offender.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has stepped down from his position following an independent review into his relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who led the WEF for over 8 years, said his time at the organization has been "profoundly rewarding" but that now is the "right moment" for the Forum to continue its work "without distractions."

Why it matters

Brende's resignation is the latest in a string of high-profile departures by business and government leaders associated with Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The WEF, which hosts the annual Davos conference, is a powerful global organization that brings together political and business leaders, and Brende's ties to Epstein have raised concerns about the Forum's governance and oversight.

The details

The independent review of Brende's actions found "no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed." However, emails and text messages show that Brende and Epstein discussed business related to the WEF, with Epstein suggesting Davos could "replace the UN" on issues like cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, and genetics. Brende responded that the WEF was "uniquely positioned" to provide a "new global architecture."

  • Brende stepped down as WEF president on February 27, 2026.
  • Brende had led the WEF for over 8 years prior to his resignation.

The players

Borge Brende

Former president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, who resigned following an independent review into his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

A late convicted sex offender who had ties to various business and government leaders.

Andre Hoffmann

Co-chair of the WEF's board of trustees.

Larry Fink

Co-chair of the WEF's board of trustees.

Alois Zwinggi

Business leader who will serve as WEF's interim president and CEO while the board searches for a permanent successor.

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What they’re saying

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding. We have seen a record number of partners join us, and we have had a very successful Annual Meeting in Davos behind us, where we engaged with governmental leaders from all over the world like never before.”

— Borge Brende, Former President and CEO, World Economic Forum (stillwaterradio.net)

“We wish to express our sincere appreciation for Borge Brende's significant contributions to the World Economic Forum. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organization, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down.”

— Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, Co-chairs, WEF Board of Trustees (stillwaterradio.net)

What’s next

Alois Zwinggi will serve as WEF's interim president and CEO while the board searches for a permanent successor to Borge Brende.

The takeaway

Brende's resignation highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal, with high-profile leaders associated with the late sex offender continuing to face scrutiny and consequences. The WEF, as a powerful global organization, will need to carefully examine its governance and oversight to maintain public trust.