Topline
Borge Brende, the CEO of the World Economic Forum, resigned Thursday, weeks after the organization opened an independent probe into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein—marking the latest high-profile fallout after the Justice Department’s release of documents linked to the convicted sex offender.
Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum WEF, delivers closing remarks at the WEF Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Key Facts
In a statement, Brende said he was stepping down after “careful consideration,” adding, “now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”
The statement does not mention Epstein’s name or Brende’s communication with the convicted sex offender.
The organization’s co-chairs, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, said the “independent review conducted by outside counsel has concluded” and it found no “additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”
Brende, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, has acknowledged attending dinners with the convicted sex offender but said he was “completely unaware” of Epstein’s “past and criminal activities.”
This is a developing story.