WEF CEO Brende Resigns Over Epstein Ties

Borge Brende, WEF President and CEO since 2017, announced his resignation on Thursday after U.S. Justice Department documents revealed three business dinners with Epstein and ongoing email and text communications. Brende stated he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal history before 2018 and expressed regret for not investigating him more thoroughly. The disclosure follows Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor and his 2019 death in U.S. custody.

Co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink confirmed an independent review found no additional concerns beyond previously disclosed communications. Brende explained to Norwegian media that the review did not uncover unknown issues, but the Epstein association risked distracting from WEF operations and the annual Davos summit. The review underscores the forum’s commitment to transparency amid global scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with political and business leaders.

WEF Managing Director Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim CEO while the Board of Trustees oversees the leadership transition. Brende’s tenure spanned 8½ years, including reforms leading to successful Davos meetings. The forum emphasized Brende’s contributions despite the resignation. WEF’s founder Klaus Schwab stepped down last year under pressure following a separate internal review that found no material wrongdoing.

Epstein files highlight communications with leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. International scrutiny has prompted criminal investigations of figures such as Britain’s former Duke of York. Texts from 2018–19 reveal Brende described Epstein as a “brilliant host” after dinners attended by former Trump aide Steve Bannon and a Norwegian government minister. The files also provide insight into Epstein’s influence on global elites, exposing reputational risks for associated institutions.

Brende’s resignation follows three documented Epstein dinners, multiple email exchanges, and one-to-one text communications between 2018–19. His 8½-year leadership included managing Davos gatherings, global partnerships, and internal reforms. The WEF reiterated that Brende’s departure is to prevent distractions from ongoing organizational priorities. Brende conveyed that his ties, though limited, had become a liability for the forum’s global operations.