Elizabeth Warren Urges Harvard To Cut Ties With Larry Summers After New Epstein Emails Released

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is urging Harvard University to completely cut ties with former university president Larry Summers after new emails revealed a long-running and personal correspondence between Summers and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents, released last week by a House committee, have intensified scrutiny on Summers’ continued role at Harvard and within national policy circles.

The emails include exchanges in which Summers sought romantic advice from Epstein, offered sexist commentary, and maintained frequent communication with him between 2013 and 2019. The revelations come despite Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution, including from a minor, and widespread public knowledge of his history of abuse.

Warren, a former Harvard Law School professor and now Massachusetts’ senior Democratic senator, told CNN that Summers’ associations demonstrate “monumentally bad judgment” and make him unfit to teach or advise students. She said that Summers’ continued ties to Epstein, even after his crimes were well known, show a profound lapse in character and reliability.

Summers, who previously served as Treasury secretary under Bill Clinton and as director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, has long been considered one of the country’s most influential economic voices. He resigned as Harvard’s president in 2006 following multiple controversies, including comments suggesting genetic differences might explain why women are underrepresented in the sciences. He currently serves as the Charles W. Eliot University Professor at Harvard.

The recently released documents reveal casual banter between Summers and Epstein about politics, world affairs, and high-profile figures. Other exchanges show Summers forwarding emails from women and asking Epstein for guidance on how to respond. At times, Epstein cautioned against sending messages, comparing relationship advice to political events, including Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey.

The revelations have triggered strong reactions on campus. Harvard lecturer Rachel McCleary told The Harvard Crimson that Summers’ dealings with Epstein reflect a “character flaw,” not a one-time lapse. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Summers asked Epstein to contribute to his wife’s nonprofit organization. Summers’ wife, Elisa New, is a professor emerita at Harvard.

The controversy is also rippling beyond the university. The Center for American Progress, where Summers is a non-resident senior fellow, said it is reviewing the disclosures to decide on next steps. Meanwhile, an upcoming virtual event featuring Summers hosted by the Economic Club of New York has been postponed due to what organizers called “an unavoidable change in schedule.”

Following the release of the emails, President Donald Trump said he has asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein’s connections to high-profile individuals and institutions, naming Summers, Clinton, and JPMorgan Chase among those who should be examined.

This story reflects ongoing updates as fallout continues from the newly released Epstein documents.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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