OpenAI, Harvard University, Bloomberg, and the New York Times have not responded to calls for them to distance themselves from former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. This comes after it was revealed that he had exchanged numerous emails with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers, aged 70, is a significant figure in newly released emails by the House Oversight Committee that detail correspondence between him and Epstein from 2013 to 2019. Their discussions included topics such as women, politics, and business related to Harvard.
This situation is creating a quandary for various organizations linked to Summers, who has a strong presence on corporate boards and in media following his government career. He was appointed to the board of OpenAI two years ago, but that’s just one of his numerous high-profile roles.
Jeff Houser, from the watchdog group The Revolving Door Project, remarked that these emails should compel organizations to reconsider their associations with Summers, calling his continued prominence in government and academia regrettable. He urged companies with connections to Summers, including leading AI firms and major media outlets, to demand his resignation.
The recently disclosed emails highlight a friendly rapport between Summers and Epstein, who took his own life in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. In one correspondence, he made a joke implying women were less intelligent than men.
In October 2017, Summers sarcastically noted that women held “half of the world’s IQ,” failing to mention that they constitute over 51% of the population. Another email sparked outrage online when Summers sought Epstein’s advice about a relationship, discussing wanting to be a “friend without benefits” but still engage in gift-giving.
It remains uncertain who he was referring to in that exchange. Epstein replied, suggesting that the woman might be punishing Summers for past mistakes and that “whining is a sign of strength.”
Summers, a Democrat who held positions under Clinton and Obama, later expressed regret over his association with Epstein, calling it a grave error in judgment. This apology follows Epstein’s prior guilty plea in 2008 for trafficking a minor and settling claims from victims in 2010.
“I have big regrets in my life,” he mentioned in a statement to the Harvard Crimson this week. “As I said before, my relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was a huge error in judgment.”
He has not yet addressed requests for comments made by The Post.
OpenAI
Summers joined the revamped OpenAI board in 2023 after a previous leadership change. A spokesperson for the board declined to provide comment.
Harvard University
As the Charles W. Elliott University Professor and president emeritus, Summers has been a prominent figure at Harvard, where he served as president from 2001 to 2006. Harvard has not yet responded to inquiries for comment.
Bloomberg
He contributes columns to Bloomberg and frequently appears on their network, including on “Wall Street Week.” A Bloomberg representative declined to comment.
New York Times
Summers frequently writes guest essays for the New York Times, with his latest in September. The Times did not respond to requests for comment.
Center for American Progress
He is listed as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at this D.C.-based think tank, which also has not provided comments on the matter.
Skill Software
Summers is part of the Board of Directors at the Interactive Learning Company, though representatives did not immediately reply to inquiries.
Global Development Center
He has been the chairman of the Center for Global Development since 2014, but did not respond to requests for a comment from CGD.
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Summers is identified as vice president at this nonprofit research organization and has not yet commented on the situation.
Atlas Merchant Capital
Most recently, Summers was a senior advisor at Atlas Merchant Capital, although his bio page appears to have been taken down. The firm has not responded to inquiries.
Zico
He also serves on the advisory board for this online banking company, which did not reply to requests for comment.
Aven
Summers is part of the advisory board for Aven, a credit card provider for homeowners. Aven has not yet commented on the issue.
Palmetto
He sits on the advisory board for this solar energy firm, but Palmetto hasn’t yet responded to inquiries.
Yale University Budget Institute
Summers is a member of the advisory board for Budget Lab at Yale, but they did not respond to requests for comment.
