What's happened
Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, has stepped down following an internal review into his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. The review found no additional concerns, but Brende's meetings with Epstein, including dinners and messages, prompted his resignation. The forum continues its work with interim leadership.
What's behind the headline?
The resignation of Borge Brende highlights the ongoing scrutiny of elite networks and their influence. Despite the internal review's findings, the association with Epstein, a convicted sex offender, damages the credibility of global leadership figures. This incident underscores the importance of transparency in elite circles and the potential reputational risks for organizations like the WEF. The forum's decision to appoint an interim leader suggests a focus on stability, but the episode may prompt broader questions about vetting processes for influential figures. Moving forward, the WEF will likely face increased pressure to scrutinize its leadership and partnerships more rigorously, as public trust in elite institutions continues to wane.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Brende decided to step down after the internal review found no additional concerns, but his meetings with Epstein, including dinners and messages, raised questions. AP News emphasizes that Brende was unaware of Epstein's criminal background, and the WEF's co-chairs confirmed the review's findings. France 24 highlights the broader context of Epstein's influence on global elites, including other prominent figures like Norway's ex-prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland, who is under investigation. The New York Times notes that Brende's departure comes amid revelations of long-term contacts with Epstein, which have roiled political and business circles worldwide. Business Insider UK and The Independent also detail the timeline of Brende's meetings and the forum's response, emphasizing the importance of transparency and the potential reputational impact on the WEF.
How we got here
Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, became WEF president in 2017. Recent disclosures from US Justice Department files revealed Brende had dined with Epstein multiple times and exchanged messages, raising questions about his associations. The WEF launched an internal review, which concluded there were no further concerns, leading to Brende's resignation.
Go deeper
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The World Economic Forum, based in Cologny-Geneva, Switzerland, is an NGO, founded in 1971. The WEF's mission is cited as "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape globa
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Jeffrey Edward Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender. He began his professional life as a teacher but then switched to the banking and finance sector in various roles, working at Bear Stearns before forming his own firm.
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Børge Brende is a Norwegian politician and diplomat, and has been the president of the World Economic Forum since 2017. A member of the Conservative Party, he previously was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2017, Minister of the Environment from