Larry Summers, a towering figure in economic discourse and a Democrat insider par excellence, is walking the fine line between polite society and outright scandal. His recent decision to step back from public commitments following a string of controversies over his connections to a known sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, has left many wondering if he's learned any lessons.
For those unfamiliar with Summers' storied career, let him be summed up as the quintessential technocratic insider. Having risen through the ranks with incredible speed and aplomb, he boasts an impressive CV that reads like a laundry list of powerhouses in government, academia, and finance. From chief economist at the World Bank to Secretary of the Treasury Department, Harvard president, and director of the National Economic Council, Summers has demonstrated a mastery of policy-making that few can match.
However, beneath his polished exterior lies a caustic individual with far-reaching connections to unsavory characters. Epstein, in particular, has cast a long shadow over Summers' career, despite his professed regret over their close friendship and the depth of their discussions on personal matters. The emails between the two men reveal a disturbing pattern of Summers' willingness to broach sensitive subjects, including his pursuit of women, with Epstein, who was notorious for his predatory behavior.
Summers' role in perpetuating systemic issues cannot be overstated. As a key architect of deregulation and the repeal of Glass-Steagall Act's banking oversight during his tenure as Treasury Secretary, he inadvertently contributed to the 2008 financial crash. Moreover, his support for increasing unemployment rates as an anti-inflation measure is widely seen as misguided, particularly in light of the economic challenges facing many Americans.
But perhaps Summers' most egregious failure lies in his treatment of women and marginalized groups. Having dismissed criticism over his remarks on women's intelligence and their role in mathematics, he has also been accused of exacerbating the problem through his hiring practices at Harvard University. The university's record on promoting diversity among tenure-track positions under Summers' leadership is particularly noteworthy.
Despite facing numerous controversies throughout his career, Summers has emerged relatively unscathed. He has managed to transition seamlessly between academia, politics, and finance, often leveraging his reputation to secure lucrative speaking fees and consulting work. His close ties to influential figures in the financial sector have allowed him to navigate scandals with ease, a testament to his enduring power within Washington's elite.
The case against Summers is clear: he represents everything that's wrong with our current economic system and the cronyism that it perpetuates. As we navigate the increasingly complex web of influence and corruption that surrounds him, one thing becomes certain – we must demand more from our policymakers and economists. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust.
In an era where press freedom is under siege and the boundaries between fact and fiction are becoming increasingly blurred, it's imperative that we support independent journalism like The Intercept, which continues to hold those in power accountable for their actions. Join us by becoming a member today.
For those unfamiliar with Summers' storied career, let him be summed up as the quintessential technocratic insider. Having risen through the ranks with incredible speed and aplomb, he boasts an impressive CV that reads like a laundry list of powerhouses in government, academia, and finance. From chief economist at the World Bank to Secretary of the Treasury Department, Harvard president, and director of the National Economic Council, Summers has demonstrated a mastery of policy-making that few can match.
However, beneath his polished exterior lies a caustic individual with far-reaching connections to unsavory characters. Epstein, in particular, has cast a long shadow over Summers' career, despite his professed regret over their close friendship and the depth of their discussions on personal matters. The emails between the two men reveal a disturbing pattern of Summers' willingness to broach sensitive subjects, including his pursuit of women, with Epstein, who was notorious for his predatory behavior.
Summers' role in perpetuating systemic issues cannot be overstated. As a key architect of deregulation and the repeal of Glass-Steagall Act's banking oversight during his tenure as Treasury Secretary, he inadvertently contributed to the 2008 financial crash. Moreover, his support for increasing unemployment rates as an anti-inflation measure is widely seen as misguided, particularly in light of the economic challenges facing many Americans.
But perhaps Summers' most egregious failure lies in his treatment of women and marginalized groups. Having dismissed criticism over his remarks on women's intelligence and their role in mathematics, he has also been accused of exacerbating the problem through his hiring practices at Harvard University. The university's record on promoting diversity among tenure-track positions under Summers' leadership is particularly noteworthy.
Despite facing numerous controversies throughout his career, Summers has emerged relatively unscathed. He has managed to transition seamlessly between academia, politics, and finance, often leveraging his reputation to secure lucrative speaking fees and consulting work. His close ties to influential figures in the financial sector have allowed him to navigate scandals with ease, a testament to his enduring power within Washington's elite.
The case against Summers is clear: he represents everything that's wrong with our current economic system and the cronyism that it perpetuates. As we navigate the increasingly complex web of influence and corruption that surrounds him, one thing becomes certain – we must demand more from our policymakers and economists. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust.
In an era where press freedom is under siege and the boundaries between fact and fiction are becoming increasingly blurred, it's imperative that we support independent journalism like The Intercept, which continues to hold those in power accountable for their actions. Join us by becoming a member today.
. like, on one hand he's got this insane amount of power and influence, but on the other hand he's made some pretty cringeworthy comments about women in math... and then there's his connection to epstein which is just, no 
.
. so do we hold him accountable for all his past mistakes, or can we give him some credit for trying to make a difference? 
.
he was always so smooth and polished on the outside but behind closed doors he's got some major skeletons in his closet 
I mean, who knew that the guy who tried to regulate banking was actually a key player in deregulation?! 
and don't even get me started on his views on women and math - like what is up with that?! 
I mean, come on, you can't just waltz in and out of controversies because you've got a ton of connections and influence 
. And can we really say that his role in perpetuating systemic issues was the only reason for his troubles? Maybe there are more complex factors at play here 
.
, can't Larry Summers get caught up in one scandal without everyone losing it? i mean, i'm not saying he's not guilty of anything (which from what i've seen is pretty much everything), but does he have to rake every controversy in the past 10 years and expect us to just eat it up 
. and honestly, his apology for being friends with epstein sounds like a joke "i regret our friendship" wow, that's all you can say? where was this regret when you were hanging out at his mansion or facilitating meetings between him and other influential people? 
And don't even get me started on his handling of women's issues at Harvard - like, hello, you're a prominent economist, use your platform to uplift not oppress! 
. He's like a master of spin and PR, always finding ways to whitewash his past transgressions and present himself as some kind of hero 
. Newsflash Larry: we see right through you 
. It's time to hold our policymakers and economists accountable, period! 
his "lessons" are laughable, tbh, he's been gettin away with this stuff for decades and ppl have just been too scared to call him out 
And honestly, who was he trying to help by befriending someone like Epstein? 
IT'S LIKE HE THINKS WE'VE ALL FORGOTTEN ABOUT HOW BADLY HE SCREWED UP AND HOW MANY PEOPLE SUFFERED AS A RESULT. NEWSFLASH, LARRY: YOU CAN'T JUST WALK AWAY FROM YOUR MISTAKES AND EXPECT EVERYTHING TO BE OKAY 
THEY'RE JUST SO OUT OF TOUCH WITH REAL PEOPLE'S LIVES. I MEAN, WHO THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO LEAVE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HANGING OVER A BARBECUE?! 
. And don't even get me started on his role in perpetuating systemic issues that hurt Americans 
. Like, what does it say about our system when someone like him can just slip away from scrutiny without facing any real consequences? 
. But seriously, Summers' connections to Epstein are a big deal, but he's not the only one with skeletons in their closet 
.
. And can we really blame Summers for trying to make a buck or advance his career? That's just how it works in this country 
. I mean, who hasn't had questionable friends or acquaintances at some point? It's all about context and perspective... right? 
#WomenEmpowerment #EqualityMatters. The fact that he's still raking in cash as a consultant despite all the controversy surrounding him is just plain wrong 
. And now we know that Summers has been downplaying their friendship and the fact that they were close enough to exchange personal emails about women 
.