Former Harvard president, Lawrence H. Summers, steps back from teaching, resigns from OpenAI board in wake of new Epstein email revelations

Nov. 20, 2025

After last week's release of a large, new batch of Epstein e-mails by Congress and ahead of an anticipated disclosure by the DOJ of its Epstein files, Lawrence H. Summers is taking a beating. As a long-time associate of the late Wall Street financier, Summers reportedly kept communicating with Epstein after the latter's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Amidst the ongoing uproar over Summers' relationship with Epstein, Summers, now 70, is stepping back from his career.

Further Reading :

• Ex-Harvard president Larry Summers stops teaching as university investigates Epstein emails [BBC]
  Nov. 20, 2025 — Harvard University professor Larry Summers is taking leave while the school investigates his and others' ties with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a spokesperson confirmed.
• Harvard reopens probe of Larry Summers after release of Epstein emails [PBS]
  Nov. 19, 2025 — Harvard University has reopened an investigation into connections between former President Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein, a university spokesperson said Wednesday, and Summers’ office said he would resign from the board of OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.
• As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ [The Harvard Crimson]
  Nov. 17, 2025 — When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance : convicted sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein.

Key Words :

• Harvard University
• Jeffrey Epstein
• Lawrence H. Summers
• OpenAI Global, LLC