Harvard Opens Review of Larry Summers After Documents Link Him to Jeffrey Epstein

Harvard announced on Tuesday that it has opened a review into faculty member and former university president Larry Summers and other affiliates after newly released House documents linked them to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The records reportedly depict a close personal relationship between Summers and Epstein and include an instance in which Summers sought Epstein’s romantic advice concerning a woman Summers described as a mentee. The documents also show the two men discussing a range of political and social topics.

"The University is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted," said Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain.

Harvard said the review will examine all university affiliates who appear in the released records to determine whether further action is appropriate.

Public response and fallout

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called on Harvard to sever ties with Summers following the disclosure. "For decades, Larry Summers has demonstrated his attraction to serving the wealthy and well-connected, but his willingness to cozy up to a convicted sex offender demonstrates monumentally bad judgment," Warren said. She added that Summers’ inability to distance himself from Epstein after the latter’s offenses became public undermines his credibility as an adviser and educator.

Summers has publicly disavowed Epstein and expressed regret for the friendship. Since the documents became public, Summers has resigned or been removed from several outside boards and organizations, though he continues to fulfill his teaching duties at Harvard, according to university reporting.

Broader context

Separately, lawmakers have pursued release of Justice Department files related to Epstein. Epstein died by suicide in custody in 2019. Reports note that then-President Donald Trump initially resisted a bill to force release of the files but later endorsed it once its passage was assured.

The university's review is ongoing, and Harvard said it will evaluate whether additional steps are warranted based on the records now in the public domain.