World Economic Forum President Borge Brende resigns amidst probe into Jeffrey Epstein links. ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - In a moment that sent tremors through the global diplomatic and financial elites, Borge Brende, the President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), resigned today. The leave arrives just weeks after the Forum’s Board of Trustees opened an independent inquiry into Brende’s historical ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Brende had stated that his intention to step down as CEO was made, “to preserve the integrity and mission of the Forum,” adding that his decision to resign represented a moral choice. Although he has not confessed to any wrongdoing, the media attention to his private communications with Epstein have rendered his continued leadership impractical.
The Examination: Emails, SMS and Dinners
The WEF crisis began on February 5, 2026, when the Governing Board requested an independent reevaluation after the revelation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) of the affair.
- The evidence: Documents showed that Brende exchanged more than 100 messages (emails and SMS) with Epstein between 2018 and 2019 years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.
- The Meetings: Brende has also reported to have attended at least three business dinners where Epstein was present.
- Brende’s Defense: In earlier statements, Brende said he participated in the meetings but that he “was completely unaware” of the scale of Epstein’s criminal acts at that time and says he is deeply sorry that he didn’t do more vigorous background checks.
Davos ‘Concierge’: Epstein’s Secret Reach
The resignation comes on the heels of larger disclosures about how Jeffrey Epstein used the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos to peddle influence. While Epstein allegedly “hated” the Forum, the DOJ documents allege he acted as a “Davos concierge,” providing luxury lodging and private meetings to billionaires and high-level government officials when the chronically overbooked summit held sessions.
Not only is this scandal a second major leadership crisis in less than a year for WEF. Founder Klaus Schwab forced an abrupt exit from the group in April 2025, after allegations of wrongdoing (though he was acquitted) placed it in a vulnerable position of transition.
Leadership Transition
Beginning immediately, the WEF’s Board of Trustees will manage operations. Larry Fink (CEO of BlackRock) and André Hoffmann (Vice Chairman of Roche), who had previously been serving as interim co-chairs after Schwab left, are likely to offer stability while a search for a permanent successor commences. Following Brende’s departure, the Forum issued a short press release:
“The World Economic Forum remains committed to its mission of improving the state of the world. We will continue to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability during this transition.”
