World Economic Forum Chief Resigns As Epstein Fallout Spreads

The Epstein fallout is no longer confined to American institutions. Børge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, announced Thursday that he will step down, citing “distractions” stemming from revelations about his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation comes after Justice Department emails shed new light on Brende’s interactions with the disgraced financier.

The move marks another high-profile departure tied to the expanding release of Epstein files.

The newly disclosed correspondence reveals that Brende met with Epstein multiple times in 2018 and 2019 roughly a decade after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

In the emails, Brende referred to Epstein as “my friend” and discussed dinner plans at Epstein’s Manhattan residence. In one exchange, Epstein suggested that the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos could eventually “replace the UN.” Brende responded that a “new global architecture” was needed and described the Forum as uniquely positioned in a “public-private” role.

Brende has insisted he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal past at the time of the meetings. He stated that had he known, he would have declined the invitations.

The World Economic Forum’s Board of Trustees said its internal review found “no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.” Still, the reputational damage appears to have been enough to prompt Brende’s exit.

The resignation underscores how far-reaching the Epstein network was.

Epstein’s associations spanned finance, politics, academia, and global institutions. His death in federal custody in August 2019 officially ruled a suicide only intensified scrutiny and public skepticism.

The Justice Department’s document releases have triggered investigations and arrests internationally. Allegations involving figures such as Britain’s Prince Andrew and former U.K. political leaders have fueled ongoing debate about elite accountability.

Public trust in global institutions has been eroding for years. According to Edelman’s Trust Barometer, confidence in international organizations and government bodies has fallen significantly across Western democracies. The perception that powerful insiders maintained relationships with Epstein long after his conviction only deepens that distrust.

The World Economic Forum, best known for its annual Davos summit, has long been a lightning rod for criticism. Supporters describe it as a forum for cooperation between governments and private industry. Critics argue it represents an insular elite disconnected from everyday citizens.

The Epstein revelations amplify those concerns.

Emails suggesting discussions about reshaping global governance structures play directly into anxieties about transparency and accountability in international policymaking.

Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, led the organization for more than eight years. His departure places additional pressure on the Forum at a time when globalization itself is under renewed strain.

Global trade growth has slowed compared to pre-2008 trends. National governments are reasserting economic sovereignty. Supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have forced a rethink of international coordination.

In that climate, leadership credibility matters.

Brende’s resignation follows similar fallout for other prominent figures who acknowledged ties to Epstein but denied knowledge of his crimes.

Each new disclosure reinforces a troubling pattern: individuals at the highest levels of power continued engaging with Epstein despite public records of his past conviction.

Whether additional resignations follow remains to be seen. What is clear is that the Epstein document releases are reshaping reputations across continents.

For institutions already facing declining public trust, the consequences may extend far beyond one resignation.

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