Larry Summers steps back from public roles after backlash over Epstein emails: 'I am deeply ashamed'

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Former Harvard University President Larry Summers announced he will step back from public commitments after facing sharp criticism over his past correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” of his actions and intends to focus on rebuilding trust.

The move follows the release of more than 20,000 Epstein-related documents, which revealed that Summers communicated regularly with the disgraced financier.

Summers, a Harvard professor and former Treasury secretary, acknowledged the fallout in a statement Monday, November 17, calling his retreat from public roles “one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me.”

Larry Summers steps back amid backlash

Larry Summers’ communications with Epstein were among those made public in the newly released documents, which included emails between Epstein and multiple high-profile individuals.

While the records do not indicate wrongdoing, they raised difficult questions about Summers’ judgment and his willingness to maintain a relationship with Epstein even after his illegal offenses were widely known.

“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr Epstein,” Summers said to Politico. He added that he will still “fulfill his teaching obligations” at Harvard.

The documents revealed that Summers exchanged regular emails with Epstein, at times including personal banter, and even sought advice from Epstein on handling a romantic interest.

Elizabeth Warren urges Harvard to cut ties over 'monumentally bad judgment'

Sen Elizabeth Warren, long a critic of Larry Summers, has accused the former Harvard leader of lacking the judgment necessary to teach or advise government officials, accusing him of displaying “monumentally bad judgement” through his continued correspondence with Epstein.

“If he had so little ability to distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein even after all that was publicly known about Epstein’s offenses involving underage girls, then Summers cannot be trusted to advise our nation’s politicians, policymakers, and institutions, or teach a generation of students at Harvard or anywhere else,” Warren said, in remarks first reported by CNN. 

The backlash comes as Epstein’s communications have become a flashpoint in national politics.

Late last week, President Trump said he would direct the Justice Department and FBI to investigate Epstein’s relationships with several prominent Democrats, including Summers, former President Bill Clinton, and investor Reid Hoffman.

A Clinton spokesperson said the emails “prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing,” while Hoffman dismissed the probe as baseless.