The former Treasury secretary faces mounting pressure as newly released messages show he sought Epstein’s advice on romantic pursuits and made controversial remarks about women’s intelligence. Harvard, OpenAI, and other institutions are now weighing next steps.
WASHINGTON | Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers announced Monday that he will be stepping back from high-profile public commitments after newly released emails revealed an unexpectedly close — and deeply troubling — advisory relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement to 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News, Summers expressed “deep shame” and accepted responsibility for communications in which he sought Epstein’s advice on personal matters, including how to pursue a romantic relationship with a woman he called his mentee. In one exchange, Epstein described himself as Summers’ “wing man,” while Summers, in another email, suggested women on average have a lower IQ than men.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” Summers said. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein. While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me.”

