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&#8217;s 2008 conviction for solicitation of prostitution from a minor. Brende claimed he did not know about Epstein’s criminal past at the time. 
&#8220;I was completely unaware of ​Epstein&#8217;s past and criminal activities,&#8221; 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&#8217;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&#8230; 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&#8217;s annual meeting in Davos.
Brende <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02622851.pdf">replied</a>, “Exactly &#8211; we need a new global architecture. World Economic Forum (Davos) is uniquely positioned &#8211;public private,&#8221; according to an email released by the Justice Department. 
A September 21, 2018, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00481813.pdf">email</a> 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&#8217;m already looking forward,” Brende <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00481835.pdf">wrote</a> on September 21, 2018. In response, Epstein’s assistant wrote, “He looks forward to seeing you!”
In a separate <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01022370.pdf">email</a> 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 <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02636878.pdf">wrote</a> to Epstein, “Best regards from Moscow and Riyadh&#8230;.” 
A June 2019 email shows the two <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02290348.pdf">setting up</a> another dinner at Epstein’s Manhattan home. 
The Justice Department&#8217;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. 

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

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

CONTINUE READING

Trump’s Effort To Purge DEI From Science Funding Could Be Locked Into Law

Man Arrested After Disturbing Threat To ICE Officer’s Family Caught On Camera

Trump Admin Steps In After Female Students Raise Alarm Over School’s Trans Policy

Republicans’ Latest Pro-Union Move Has Some Conservatives Sounding The Alarm

Graham Platner Finds A Scapegoat After Reports On Sexual Escapades

‘Kill ICE’ Rioters Came Prepared. So Did Police.

News

Epstein Files

Jeffrey Epstein

justice department

Norway

World Economic Forum

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

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