The probe found that WeF Chief Brende attended several private dinners and exchanged messages with Epstein in 2018 and 2019. The revelations triggered intense scrutiny and raised questions about leadership accountability.
BY PC Bureau
February 27, 2026: Børge Brende, president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum, has stepped down following an independent investigation into his past interactions with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, marking the latest high-profile resignation linked to the widening fallout from newly released Epstein-related documents.
Brende, who led the organization best known for hosting the annual Davos summit, announced his resignation on Thursday, just weeks after appearing alongside global leaders at the forum’s January gathering in Switzerland. His departure comes amid mounting scrutiny over contacts between prominent political and business figures and Epstein, whose network of relationships has been under renewed examination following the release of millions of emails, messages and internal records by US authorities.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum,” Brende said in a statement. “My time here, spanning eight and a half years, has been profoundly rewarding.”
WEF CEO Borge Brende plotting with Jeffrey Epstein to position WEF as the global governance structure
It should be called “Epstein’s Great Reset” henceforth pic.twitter.com/kDwjuRhgU0
— Jesse Matchey (@JesseMatchey) February 5, 2026
Probe examined meetings, messages with Epstein
The forum launched an independent review earlier this month after disclosures revealed that Brende attended three private business dinners with Epstein in 2018 and 2019 and exchanged emails and text messages with him.
According to documents reviewed during the investigation, at least one of those dinners took place at Epstein’s Manhattan residence, only weeks before his arrest on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. Epstein had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting sex from a minor and served 18 months in prison, a conviction that drew widespread criticism for its leniency.
In a statement issued when the probe was announced, Brende said he had been unaware of the full extent of Epstein’s criminal history at the time of their interactions.
READ: Democrat Alleges Epstein Documents Withheld to Save Trump
“I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities,” Brende said. “I recognize that I could have conducted a more thorough investigation into Epstein’s history, and I regret not doing so.”
The forum said the independent investigation found no evidence that Brende had engaged in wrongdoing. However, his resignation underscores the reputational damage faced by prominent figures whose past associations with Epstein have come under renewed scrutiny.
Epstein files trigger wave of high-profile departures
Brende’s exit is part of a broader wave of resignations and leadership changes linked to revelations contained in the so-called Epstein files, a vast trove of documents released by the US Justice Department since late December.
The disclosures have exposed previously undisclosed contacts between Epstein and senior executives, political figures and global business leaders, intensifying pressure on institutions to investigate potential ethical lapses—even in cases where no criminal conduct is alleged.
Among those affected are senior figures across major corporations and financial institutions, including executives at global hospitality, banking and logistics firms. While none have been charged with crimes, the reputational fallout has proven severe.
Similar controversies previously led to the resignations of high-profile financial leaders, including former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, highlighting the long-lasting consequences of associations with Epstein.
Leadership transition at influential global forum
Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, had led the World Economic Forum since 2017, overseeing its expansion as one of the world’s most influential platforms for political, business and policy discussions. The Davos summit, held annually in the Swiss Alps, attracts heads of state, corporate executives and global policymakers.
In a statement, WEF co-chairs Larry Fink and Andre Hoffmann thanked Brende for his leadership and contributions.
They confirmed that the independent investigation into his Epstein ties had concluded and found no additional concerns beyond previously disclosed contacts.
Brende’s departure leaves a leadership vacuum at a pivotal moment for the organization, which has faced growing scrutiny over transparency, elite influence and accountability. It also reflects the continuing ripple effects of the Epstein scandal, which continues to reshape careers and institutions years after his death in custody in 2019.
The forum has not yet announced a successor or interim leadership arrangement.
