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Former Harvard President Larry Summers has resigned from his teaching position at Harvard University amidst escalating criticism over his communications with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
The university announced this decision on Wednesday evening, signaling an end to Summers’ long-standing relationship with the prestigious institution.
Harvard students gathered to hear economics professor Larry Summers discuss his connections to Jeffrey Epstein before his class began on Wednesday in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Lola DeAscentiis)
The decision follows a report by The Harvard Crimson, which revealed that the university is investigating Summers’ links to the infamous financier.
This development came after students in Summers’ economics class circulated a video on Wednesday, capturing the professor admitting his regret over his relationship with Epstein.
New details of his ties with Epstein had come to light when a House committee released a trove of emails of personal messages between the two men. Summers appeared to turn to Epstein for romantic advice.
Also, late Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed legislation allowing the Justice Department to release the files related to Epstein.
Former Harvard University president Larry Summers announces he will step back from public commitments following the release of correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. (Getty Images)
In a statement released to Fox News, Summer’s spokesperson confirmed he “has decided it’s in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review.”
“His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester,” the spokesperson added.
Summers has held his Harvard directorship since 2011. He also served as Treasury Secretary under former President Clinton’s administration and was the director of the National Economic Council from 2009 to 2010.
Initially, Summers said he was stepping back from public commitments, after which he resigned from the board of OpenAI on Monday.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Summers said that “in line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company and look forward to following their progress.”