The president and CEO of the World Economic Forum is stepping down after an Epstein-related audit
“I am grateful for the amazing collaboration with my colleagues, partners and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distraction,” Brende said in a statement.
US Department of Justice disclosures indicated that Brindi attended three business dinners with Epstein and engaged him in communications via email and text messages, according to the British newspaper “Daily Mail”. Reuters.
Borg Brende greets President Donald Trump before participating in an on-stage discussion at the World Economic Forum on January 21, 2026, in Davos, Switzerland. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)
“In light of these interactions, the Board asked the Audit and Risk Committee to look into the matter, which subsequently decided to initiate an independent review,” the World Economic Forum noted in a statement earlier this month. He added, “This decision confirms the forum’s commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity.”
In the statement regarding Brindi’s departure, he said: Globalization Authority He noted, “The independent review conducted by an outside attorney has concluded. The results stated that there were no additional concerns beyond what was previously disclosed.”
Andre Hoffman and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the World Economic Forum, said in a statement on behalf of the Board of Trustees that they wanted to “express our sincere appreciation for Borg Brende’s significant contributions to the World Economic Forum.”
“His dedication and leadership were instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms in the organization, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down,” they said.
“We are pleased to announce that Alois Zwinge will serve as interim President and CEO and look forward to his continued cooperation and partnership over time,” Hoffman and Fink added. “The Board of Trustees will oversee the leadership transition including a plan to lead the appropriate process to identify a permanent successor.”
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjörn Jagland is hospitalized amid the Epstein investigation
A close-up of a tablet screen displaying a photo of Jeffrey Epstein next to the official US Department of Justice website page titled Epstein Library in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. (Véronique Tournier/Hans Lukas/AFP via Getty Images)
Brindi confirmed in a statement that he had met Epstein while To attend a dinner party invited by former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Roed-Larsen, according to Reuters.
Brindi noted that he later went to two similar dinner parties that included Epstein, and that the dinners as well as “some emails and SMS messages” constituted the full scope of his dealings with Epstein, according to the outlet.
World Economic Forum President Borg Brende addresses the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20, 2026. (Harun Ozalp/Anatolia via Getty Images)
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“I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and his criminal activities,” Brende noted, according to the outlet.
“If I had known his background, I would have declined the initial invitation to join Roed Larsen and any subsequent dinner invitations or other contacts,” he said.
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