World Economic Forum Prez Calls It Quits Over Epstein File ‘Distractions’

World Economic Forum President Børge Brende said Thursday he will step down from the organization, citing “distractions” stemming from his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

Brende’s resignation follows the release of Justice Department emails that shed light on his relationship with Epstein, prompting an internal inquiry by the WEF. 

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8½ years, has been profoundly rewarding,” Brende said. “I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”

In a statement, WEF Board of Trustees co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink thanked Brende for his service and said that the inquiry found “no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.” Board member Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president while the search for a replacement is conducted.

In 2018 and 2019, Brende had three dinners with Epstein, roughly a decade after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for solicitation of prostitution from a minor. Brende claimed he did not know about Epstein’s criminal past at the time. 

“I was completely unaware of ​Epstein’s past and criminal activities,” Brende said earlier this month. “Had I known about his background, I would have declined the initial invitation to join [former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rod-Larsen] and any subsequent dinner invitations ⁠or other communications.”

Brende previously served as Norway’s minister of foreign affairs. 

Emails released by the Justice Department appear to show Brende referring to Epstein as his “friend” and arranging a dinner at the convicted sex offender’s Manhattan home. The correspondence also indicates that the two discussed how the World Economic Forum could one day replace the United Nations. 

In a September 16, 2018, email, Epstein wrote to a person identified as Brende, “davos [sic] can really replace the UN. cyber, crypto. genetics… Intl coordination. like my stint at the trilateral. issues now need to deal with the distributed trust. and intemet [sic] fallout.”

The message appears to reference the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos.

Brende replied, “Exactly – we need a new global architecture. World Economic Forum (Davos) is uniquely positioned –public private,” according to an email released by the Justice Department. 

A September 21, 2018, email appears to confirm a dinner between Epstein, Brende, and leftist journalist Michael Wolff. In a separate message around the same time, Brende appears to confirm the dinner with Epstein’s assistant. 

“I’m already looking forward,” Brende wrote on September 21, 2018. In response, Epstein’s assistant wrote, “He looks forward to seeing you!”

In a separate email on that same day, Brende told Epstein he was “looking forward” to the dinner and referred to him as “my friend.” 

In March 2019, Brende wrote to Epstein, “Best regards from Moscow and Riyadh….” 

A June 2019 email shows the two setting up another dinner at Epstein’s Manhattan home. 

The Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files has had international repercussions, including arrests in the United Kingdom of former Prince Andrew and former U.S. Ambassador Peter Mandelson, both of whom have been accused of sharing confidential information with Epstein.