Larry Summers’ Epstein Ties Reignite Scrutiny of Harvard

Harvard University has come under renewed scrutiny after newly released emails linked several faculty members — most prominently economist and former Harvard president Larry Summers — to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The university has opened a formal review as Summers said he would step away from teaching while the matter is investigated.

The correspondence, published by a House committee ahead of a vote urging the Justice Department to release Epstein-related files, repeatedly included Summers’ name. The messages show extensive exchanges between Summers and Epstein, including comments characterized by observers as sexist and requests for romantic advice about a woman Summers described as a protege. Harvard English professor emerita Elisa F. New, who is married to Summers, also appears in some of the released messages.

A university spokesperson said Summers "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." Summers has expressed regret about his association with Epstein and has withdrawn from several outside roles, including positions with organizations such as OpenAI.

Summers, 70, served as U.S. Treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton and later as director of the National Economic Council in the Obama administration. He remains a tenured faculty member, and university officials face legal and procedural limits when considering disciplinary action.

"Harvard has had a string of very public PR disasters in recent years," said Nathan Miller, founder and CEO of crisis communications firm Miller Ink. "They embody, in many ways, public frustration with elites and elite institutions."

Communication and reputation advisers say the revelations add to a string of controversies that have damaged Harvard’s public standing in recent years. Removing a tenured professor is legally and procedurally complex, and any attempt could prompt protracted litigation.

"From a reputation-management perspective, the Epstein story is much bigger than Harvard and it’s continuing to evolve," said Marykate Mattiello, vice president of strategy at Group Gordon. "More high-profile names and institutions will likely surface as documents are released, which could diffuse some attention away from Harvard."

This episode follows other recent reputational challenges for the university. Former Harvard president Claudine Gay resigned after controversy arising from a congressional hearing on campus harassment policy. Separately, federal authorities have scrutinized Harvard over funding, foreign student enrollment and admissions practices, with reports suggesting discussions have included a potential settlement that some sources pegged at roughly $500 million. Observers warn that any large settlement or adverse finding could produce lasting damage to Harvard’s brand and donor confidence.

As the review proceeds, Harvard faces competing pressures: to conduct a thorough, fair inquiry while managing public concerns about leadership, institutional values and the treatment of survivors. The university did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on the scope or timeline of its review.

What’s next: More documents may be released in the coming weeks, and the university’s internal review will determine whether policy violations occurred and what, if any, disciplinary steps are possible under tenure rules and university procedures. Legal experts say any effort to remove a tenured professor would likely trigger a lengthy process.