World Economic Forum Chief Steps Down Following Jeffrey Epstein Investigation

Borge Brende has resigned as head of the World Economic Forum weeks after an investigation into his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Norwegian executive had three business dinners and exchanged messages with Epstein, though he claims he was unaware of Epstein's criminal background.

The head of the World Economic Forum announced his resignation Thursday following weeks of scrutiny over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Borge Brende, who has led the organization since 2017, made his departure official in a written statement released weeks after the forum initiated an independent probe into his relationship with the disgraced financier.

Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department revealed that the Norwegian executive had participated in three business meals with Epstein and had exchanged electronic communications including emails and text messages with him.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding,” Brende stated. His announcement did not reference Epstein directly.

“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 former Norwegian foreign minister continued.

Brende has maintained that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal history or illegal activities when they first met in 2018, expressing regret that he did not conduct more thorough research on the financier.

The resignation comes amid ongoing fallout from Epstein-related revelations that have impacted numerous business leaders, politicians, and even members of Britain’s royal family. Epstein was previously convicted in 2008 on charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink of the Geneva-based organization, which hosts the famous annual Davos gathering, issued their own statement confirming that the independent investigation into Brende’s Epstein connections had been completed.

According to their findings, no additional issues were discovered beyond what had already been made public.

The leadership announced that Alois Zwinggi from the WEF will take over as acting president and CEO while the Board of Trustees manages the transition and searches for a permanent replacement.

The Justice Department has made public over 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents. Epstein took his own life in a jail cell in 2019 while facing federal charges for sex trafficking.

His connections to numerous high-profile individuals continue to face examination, including relationships with current President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Tesla’s Elon Musk.

The document releases have also triggered criminal investigations internationally, including probes involving Britain’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as the Duke of York, along with other notable public figures.