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Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI board amid Epstein email fallout
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has stepped down from the board of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, following the public release of emails exchanged between him and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation comes a week after the correspondence-spanning until the day before Epstein's 2019 arrest-was disclosed by the House Oversight Committee.
Summers' statement and OpenAI's response
In a statement to the BBC, Summers expressed gratitude for his time on the board, calling OpenAI's potential "exciting" and noting he would continue to follow its progress. The company, in turn, acknowledged his contributions, stating it "respects his decision to resign" and appreciates "the perspective he brought to the Board."
Summers' departure follows his Monday announcement that he would scale back public commitments due to his ties to Epstein. The emails revealed frequent interactions, including shared meals and Epstein's attempts to connect Summers with influential figures. While no legal wrongdoing was alleged, Summers admitted to a "misguided decision" in maintaining contact with Epstein and pledged to "rebuild trust."
Broader fallout and congressional action
The revelation of the emails has triggered wider repercussions. On Tuesday, both chambers of Congress agreed to pass a measure compelling the U.S. Department of Justice to release its files on Epstein. The bill now awaits President Donald Trump's signature, which he indicated he would provide after reversing his earlier stance amid pressure from supporters.
Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton and as director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, also resigned from his role as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based liberal think tank. He will, however, continue teaching at Harvard University, where he was president from 2001 to 2006.
Background: Summers' career and Epstein ties
Summers joined OpenAI's board in 2023, shortly after the company's high-profile leadership turmoil involving CEO Sam Altman. His resignation marks another chapter in the fallout from his association with Epstein, whose 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges reignited scrutiny of his connections to powerful figures.
The released emails, while not implicating Summers in criminal activity, underscored the extent of their relationship. In his public response, Summers emphasized personal accountability and a commitment to repairing relationships with those closest to him.
"I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein."
Larry Summers, former U.S. Treasury Secretary
