Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Nov 18: As Congress prepares to vote Tuesday on whether to release the complete set of files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, early leaks have already sent shockwaves through political and academic circles—most notably ensnaring Larry Summers, former US treasury secretary and past president of Harvard University.

Leaked emails show Summers seeking Epstein’s advice on how to pursue a romantic interest. In response to the revelations, Summers said he was “deeply ashamed” and has stepped back from upcoming public engagements.

Representative Ro Khanna, the Democrat leading the push for full disclosure of the files, said in a television interview that he wants every elite figure connected to Epstein “exposed.” Epstein’s vast network of billionaire clients and high-profile contacts had long made him a powerful figure in business, politics, and social circles.

After months of opposing the bill, President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course on Sunday, announcing that Republicans may vote freely on the legislation. His retreat followed signs that many GOP lawmakers planned to break ranks, a shift interpreted by some as an early sign of weakening influence.

Trump insisted, “It’s a Democrats’ problem. Democrats were Epstein’s friends, all of them.” Summers—who served in Barack Obama’s cabinet—is among several Democrats linked socially to Epstein. Former President Bill Clinton had also flown on Epstein’s private planes, prompting Trump to call on the Justice Department to investigate Clinton and financial entities tied to Epstein.

Despite Trump’s attempt to distance his party, leaks circulated by Democrats indicated Trump had once greeted Epstein on his birthday. Emails also showed Epstein claiming Trump knew about the trafficking—an allegation Trump has denied. So far, nothing in the disclosures suggests Trump was involved with the girls exploited by Epstein, and Epstein himself wrote that Trump had never received a “massage.”

Summers is the first major U.S. figure to face immediate consequences from the document leaks—following earlier repercussions for Prince Andrew, now known simply as Mountbatten-Windsor, who lost his royal title after being accused of having sex with minors within Epstein’s circle.

Epstein was previously convicted in Florida for procuring minors for sex and was awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges when he died in jail in what authorities ruled a suicide.

The current leaks do not implicate Summers in sexual misconduct; they reveal only inappropriate email exchanges regarding a woman seeking his mentorship. Harvard Crimson identified her as an academic from the London School of Economics and the daughter of a former senior Chinese official.

Summers plans to continue teaching at Harvard and remains on the boards of several companies, including Op-AI. However, a White House official told Politico that institutions connected to him should reconsider those ties—a sentiment echoed by Senator Elizabeth Warren.

As more files await release, political tensions—and public scrutiny—are expected to intensify.