CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 19, 2025 — Former Harvard University president and economist Larry Summers has stepped away from teaching as Harvard launches an investigation into his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers’ decision comes in the wake of emails recently made public showing a longstanding, friendly correspondence between him and Epstein. In one message, Epstein even referred to himself as Summers’ “wing man” while the two discussed personal matters. According to Summers’ spokesperson, his co-instructors will finish the remaining class sessions this semester, and he is not scheduled to resume teaching next term.
In addition to pausing his teaching role, Summers is also taking a leave of absence from his position as director of the Mossavar‑Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard’s Kennedy School. The university has confirmed that it is reviewing the newly released documents to decide whether further action is necessary.
Summers earlier announced he would step back from public commitments, including resigning from the board of OpenAI. He expressed “deep shame” over his continued communication with Epstein and said he takes “full responsibility” for his judgment.