{"id":2573950,"date":"2026-02-26T12:49:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/world-economic-forum-chief-resigns-over-epstein-ties\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T12:50:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:50:13","slug":"world-economic-forum-chief-resigns-over-epstein-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/world-economic-forum-chief-resigns-over-epstein-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"World Economic Forum chief resigns over Epstein ties"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fworld-economic-forum-chief-resigns-over-epstein-ties%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2573950&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Borge Brende, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canadian-olympic-committee-warns-athletes-not-to-criticize-china\/\" title=\"Canadian Olympic Committee Warns Athletes Not to Criticize China\">chief executive officer<\/a> and president of the World Economic Forum, has resigned after an independent investigation into his ties with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Brende said the decision was made after careful consideration to allow the forum to pursue its mission without distractions. the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-biden-science-adviser-eric-lander-admits-violating-white-house-workplace-policy\/\" title=\"Joe Biden Science Adviser Eric Lander Admits Violating White House Workplace Policy\">investigation reportedly found<\/a> no additional concerns beyond what had already been disclosed, though newly released Epstein files show Brende remained in contact with Epstein long after Epstein\u2019s conviction while Brende was Norway\u2019s foreign minister. The WEF accepted Brende\u2019s resignation, praised his leadership, and announced Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO while the board begins the process to identify a permanent successor. The move comes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/grassley-tim-thibault-who-infected-major-fbi-investigations-isnt-off-the-hook-just-by-retiring\/\" title=\"Grassley: Tim Thibault, Who \u2018Infected Major FBI Investigations,\u2019 Isn\u2019t Off The Hook Just By Retiring\">amid ongoing scrutiny<\/a> from some Republicans and others over Epstein ties and elite networks, and it is indeed part of a broader pattern of high-profile resignations connected to the Epstein matter. The article also <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >notes related congressional actions<\/a>, including depositions concerning Epstein associates.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Downfall in Davos: World Economic Forum chief resigns over Epstein ties<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2517080\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Borge Brende, the chief executive officer and president of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-economic-forum\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1898\">World Economic Forum<\/a>, will resign from his post after an independent investigation was conducted by the group over his ties to the since-deceased convicted sex offender <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1860\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Brende said in a statement he made this decision after &ldquo;careful consideration&rdquo; so the forum could continue its mission &ldquo;without distractions.&rdquo; He made no mention of Epstein in his statement, but his resignation comes less than a month after the release of the latest batch of Epstein files.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4472980\/democrats-force-vote-iran-war-powers-resolution-trump\/\">Democrats to force vote on Iran war powers resolution to rein in Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4472881\/virginia-congressional-democrats-back-redistricting\/\">Virginia&#8217;s congressional Democrats back redistricting plan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4472844\/discomfort-among-democrats-heckling-trump-state-of-the-union-sarah-bedford\/\">&#8216;Discomfort&#8217; among Democrats over members &#8216;heckling&#8217; Trump&#8217;s State of the Union: Sarah Bedford<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;CEO of World Economic Forum resigns,&rdquo; Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a critic of the forum who helped secure the release of the files, wrote on X. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re welcome.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The tranche of recent documents appeared to show Brende kept in contact with Epstein long after the financier had been convicted for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Brende was serving as a foreign minister of Norway at the time the communications appear to have taken place. <\/p>\n<p>The World Economic Forum, which hosts an annual summit of global leaders in Davos, Switzerland, said in a statement the independent investigation did not find &ldquo;additional concerns beyond what had been previously disclosed.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We respect his decision to step down,&rdquo; the forum said in a statement, praising Brende&rsquo;s &ldquo;instrumental&rdquo; leadership and &ldquo;significant contributions&rdquo; to the group during a &ldquo;pivotal period of reforms.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO while the Board of Trustees begins a &ldquo;proper process to identify a permanent successor.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>The forum has become a lightning rod for Trump-aligned Republicans in recent years who say the organization is made up of global elites pushing an anti-American agenda. In 2024, a cadre of House Republicans even introduced legislation barring U.S. tax dollars from going to the group.<\/p>\n<p>Brende is the latest official to step down from his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/will-you-publicly-disavow-republicans-grill-biden-fcc-nominee-on-history-of-left-wing-activism\/\" title=\"\u2018Will You Publicly Disavow?\u2019: Republicans Grill Biden FCC Nominee On History Of Left-Wing Activism\">leadership position due<\/a> to his alleged ties to Epstein. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who served as a professor at Harvard University, said on Wednesday he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecrimson.com\/article\/2026\/2\/25\/summers-retire-harvard-epstein\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.thecrimson.com\/article\/2026\/2\/25\/summers-retire-harvard-epstein\/\">would resign from his post<\/a> after the Epstein files showed an ongoing correspondence with Epstein. No evidence of Summers committing wrongdoing has emerged, but he&rsquo;s been eyed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as it continues its investigation into the files.<\/p>\n<p>Others who have resigned include Hyatt Hotels heir Thomas Pritzker, Goldman Sachs chief legal officer Kathy Ruemmler, New York School of Visual Arts department chair David Ross, Brad Carp of the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &amp; Garrison law firm, and many foreign leaders, such as Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul and Slovakian minister Miroslav Lajcak.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4471621\/house-oversight-delays-depositions-epstein-associates-march\/\"><strong>HOUSE OVERSIGHT DELAYS DEPOSITIONS FOR PAIR OF EPSTEIN ASSOCIATES UNTIL MARCH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress have called on Commerce Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/howard-lutnick\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11711\">Howard Lutnick<\/a> to step down, accusing him of misrepresenting his connection to Epstein. Lutnick has denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>The House oversight committee is conducting depositions with former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the committee, told reporters ahead of Hillary Clinton&rsquo;s deposition he expected it to go for a long time, and Bill Clinton&rsquo;s to go &ldquo;even longer.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WEF chief steps down amid Epstein ties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2573951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26057474958515.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50410,9006,50402,6522,12333],"class_list":["post-2573950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-controversy-2","tag-epstein","tag-leadership-2","tag-resignation","tag-wef"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26057474958515.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2573950"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2573954,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573950\/revisions\/2573954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2573951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2573950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2573950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2573950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}