Something is deeply wrong at one of America’s oldest and most powerful universities. Larry Summers, a former president of Harvard and a high-ranking official under President Obama, has now admitted to feeling “shame” for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein—a convicted sex offender and known predator. But shame, while appropriate, is not enough. What we’re seeing here is a dangerous pattern of elite institutions protecting their own, even when serious offenses and moral failures come to light.
Summers made his comments during a lecture at Harvard, where he still teaches economics. In a video taken by a student, he told the class he was stepping back from public life because of his communications with Epstein. But he also said he would continue to fulfill his teaching duties. That’s right—despite years of private emails with a known criminal, Summers is still standing in front of young minds at one of America’s top schools.
Let’s be clear: these emails weren’t just polite or distant. Between 2013 and 2019, long after Epstein was convicted, Summers called Epstein his “wingman.” That’s not just a mistake—it’s a sign of deep moral failure. Even more shocking, Epstein continued to support Summers as late as 2018, while Summers was still married. This wasn’t just a one-time lapse in judgment. It was a long-term relationship with a man who hurt countless young girls.
Now, Harvard says it is launching a review to investigate who else at the university had ties to Epstein. The names already coming out—like Alan Dershowitz and Elisa New, Summers’ own wife—show just how far the rot goes. These were not just backroom advisers. These were the very people shaping the minds of tomorrow’s leaders. What does it say about our institutions when these are the folks in charge?
The outrage from students and the public has been loud and clear. People are asking the right questions: How does Larry Summers still have a job? Why is Harvard letting him teach? And why do elite schools keep looking the other way when their leaders do wrong?
This isn’t just a Harvard problem. It’s a problem of elites thinking they are above the law. It’s a problem of powerful people protecting each other while regular Americans would face serious consequences for far less. If a teacher at a public school had the same kind of ties to Epstein, they’d be out of a job immediately—and rightly so.
This is where the Constitution and our founding values come in. Our nation was built on the idea that no one is above the law—not kings, not presidents, and certainly not Ivy League professors. The rule of law must apply equally to all, or it means nothing at all.
It’s time for Harvard to take real action. That means more than just reviews and quiet statements. It means holding people accountable, no matter how important they once were. Institutions like Harvard are supposed to set the standard. If they can’t do that, they’ve lost the moral authority to lead.
This moment is a test. It’s a test of whether America’s oldest institutions still believe in truth, justice, and accountability. Or whether they’ve sold those values for prestige and power. So far, the signs aren’t good.
But the American people are watching. And we will not forget who stood for justice—and who stood by while evil was excused.
