LAWRENCE SUMMERS to stop teaching at Harvard while it investigates his EPSTEIN ties

Thursday, November 20, 2025-Harvard University announced that President and current professor Lawrence Summers will step away from teaching immediately, as the university investigates his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Summers will not finish the current semester, with colleagues taking over his remaining classes, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester. The move also includes stepping back from his leadership role at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government.

The decision follows the release of emails showing ongoing communication between Summers and Epstein. In the messages, Summers sought Epstein’s advice regarding a personal relationship and Epstein referred to himself as Summers’ “wing man.”

Summers expressed “deep shame” over these communications, taking responsibility for what he called “a misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.” Harvard has confirmed it is reviewing the newly released documents to determine the appropriate course of action.

Students and public figures are calling for swift accountability. Some students have demanded Summers’ resignation, citing concerns about his suitability to teach, while Senator Elizabeth Warren described Summers as untrustworthy to guide the next generation of leaders.

Summers has also stepped back from other public roles, including his position on OpenAI’s board, signaling a broader pause as he navigates the fallout. Harvard’s investigation is ongoing, and the university has pledged to act based on its findings.