Borge Brende Quits as World Economic Forum CEO Over Epstein Links Scrutiny
Borge Brende resigns as WEF President and CEO after probe into his past meetings and communications with Jeffrey Epstein
Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his resignation on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following an independent review into his past interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Brende, who has led the Geneva-based organization since 2017, stated in his announcement that after careful consideration, he had decided to step down. He described his tenure of over eight and a half years as a period of significant achievement for the Forum and expressed that it was the right moment for the institution to continue its work without distractions. Brende did not directly reference Epstein in his statement, framing the decision as a personal one to allow smooth progression for the WEF.
The resignation follows disclosures from the U.S. Department of Justice's release of Epstein-related documents earlier in February 2026, which revealed that Brende had attended three business dinners with Epstein in New York in 2018 and 2019. Records also showed exchanges of emails and text messages between the two. Brende, a former Norwegian Foreign Minister, had previously stated he was completely unaware of Epstein's criminal activities at the time and that the dinners involved other diplomats and business leaders. In response to the revelations, the WEF's Governing Board initiated an independent investigation by outside counsel to examine the nature of these contacts.
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Co-chairs of the WEF board, André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, issued a separate statement confirming that the review had concluded with no additional concerns identified beyond what was already publicly disclosed. They thanked Brende for his leadership in advancing the Forum's mission of improving the state of the world through multistakeholder collaboration. Alois Zwinggi has been appointed as interim President and CEO to ensure continuity of operations.
The development comes amid broader fallout from the Epstein document releases, which have prompted scrutiny, investigations, and resignations involving several high-profile figures globally. The WEF, renowned for its annual Davos summit, emphasized its commitment to transparency and integrity through the probe. Brende's departure marks a significant leadership transition for the influential organization as it navigates ongoing global challenges and prepares for future initiatives.
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