World Economic Forum president and CEO steps down after facing scrutiny over Epstein links

Børge Brende, who has faced scrutiny owed to the revelation of links betwixt him and the precocious Jeffrey Epstein, is stepping down from his relation arsenic World Economic Forum president and CEO.

"I americium grateful for the unthinkable collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I judge present is the close infinitesimal for the Forum to proceed its important enactment without distractions," Brende said successful a statement.

Disclosures by the U.S. Justice Department indicated that the antheral had attended 3 concern dinners with Epstein and engaged successful communications with Epstein done email and texts, according to Reuters.

U.S. President Donald Trump is greeted by World Economic Forum CEO Børge Brende earlier taking portion successful a treatment onstage astatine the World Economic Forum (WEF) connected Jan. 21, 2026, successful Davos, Switzerland.  (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

"In airy of these interactions, the Governing Board requested the Audit and Risk Committee to look into the matter, which subsequently decided to initiate an autarkic review," the WEF noted successful a connection earlier this month. "This determination underscores the Forum's committedness to transparency and maintaining its integrity."

In the connection astir Brende's departure, the globalist assemblage noted, "The autarkic reappraisal conducted by extracurricular counsel has concluded. The findings stated that determination were nary further concerns beyond what has been antecedently disclosed."

WEF's co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink said successful a connection connected behalf of the committee of trustees that they wanted "to explicit our sincere appreciation for Børge Brende's important contributions to the World Economic Forum."

"We respect his determination to measurement down," they noted.

FORMER NORWEGIAN PM THORBJØRN JAGLAND HOSPITALIZED AMID EPSTEIN PROBE

Close-up representation of a tablet surface displaying a representation of Jeffrey Epstein beside the authoritative U.S. Department of Justice website leafage titled Epstein Library successful Washington, D.C., connected Feb. 11, 2026.  (Véronique Tournier / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)

Brende asserted successful a connection that helium met Epstein portion attending a meal that erstwhile Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rod-Larsen invited him to, according to Reuters.

Brende noted that helium aboriginal went to 2 akin dinners that included Epstein and that those dinners positive "a fewer emails and SMS messages" comprised the afloat scope of his engagements with Epstein, according to the outlet.

SON OF NORWAY'S CROWN PRINCESS TO FACE RAPE CHARGES AS NEW EPSTEIN FILES MENTION HER HUNDREDS OF TIMES

World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende delivers a code astatine the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held successful Davos, Switzerland connected Jan. 20, 2026.  (Harun Ozalp/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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"I was wholly unaware of Epstein's past and transgression activities," Brende noted, according to the outlet. 

"Had I known astir his background, I would person declined the archetypal invitation to articulation Rod-Larsen and immoderate consequent meal invitations oregon different communications," helium explained.

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