World Economic Forum chief resigns after Epstein ties revealed

Børge Brende resigned as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF) amid revelations regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Brende wrote in a WEF release he decided to step down “after careful consideration” from a role he has occupied since 2017. He did not mention the late convicted sex offender.

“My time here, spanning 8½ years, has been profoundly rewarding,” Brende added. “We have seen a record number of partners join us, and we have had a very successful Annual Meeting in Davos behind us, where we engaged with governmental leaders from all over the world like never before. 

“I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”

The WEF launched a probe into Brende earlier this month, after documents released by the Department of Justice revealed he attended multiple “business dinners” with Epstein and exchanged emails and text messages with the sex offender, years after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.

In September 2018, Brende emailed with Lesley Groff, an assistant to Epstein, regarding a dinner at the disgraced financier’s Manhattan home. He also emailed with an assistant to Epstein, whose name is redacted, regarding a dinner at the home in June 2019 — weeks before the convicted sex offender was arrested and charged with trafficking minors for sex.

Brende and Epstein also exchanged messages in 2019, with the latter sending the former what appears to be a photo of a woman he called “mss piggy.” In June 2019, Brende told Epstein he just “met your friend POTUS,” seemingly referring to President Trump. The president has denied wrongdoing in connection to Epstein. 

André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, the co-chairs of the WEF, wrote in the release they have “sincere appreciation for Børge Brende’s significant contributions” to the organization. They announced that Alois Zwinggi, a longtime member of the WEF’s managing board, will serve as interim president and CEO. 

“The independent review conducted by outside counsel has concluded. The findings stated that there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed,” Hoffman and Fink wrote, regarding the investigation into Brende. 

Brende is the latest in a string of U.S. and global figures to face professional or criminal consequences for their ties to Epstein. In the U.K., Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and former U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson were arrested this month for allegedly providing sensitive government information to Epstein.