In a hard blow to its meticulously crafted image of moral authority, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has been forced to launch an independent investigation into its own Chief Executive Officer, Børge Brende, after disclosures revealed he had multiple dinners and communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The scandal erupted after disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department showed Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister who has led the elite Davos summit since 2017, had three business dinners with Epstein in 2018 and 2019. The WEF confirmed Brende also exchanged “a few emails and SMS messages” with the disgraced financier.
The revelation is acutely embarrassing for an organization that positions itself as the global standard-bearer for ethical “stakeholder capitalism.” It convenes world leaders and corporate titans to solve humanity’s greatest challenges, all while its top executive was privately breaking bread with a man convicted of sex crimes and accused of running a vast sex trafficking ring.
A “Requested” Review and a Plea of Ignorance
In a statement, Brende claimed he was “completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities” when he accepted the invitations from former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rød-Larsen. He expressed regret for not conducting a “more thorough investigation” into his dinner companion beforehand.
Brende stated he requested the independent review, which the WEF’s Governing Board authorized, framing it as proof of the organization’s “commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity.” He will remain as CEO while outside counsel conducts the probe.
A Crisis for the “Davos Man” Brand
The investigation threatens to unravel the WEF’s brand. For decades, “Davos Man” has been a symbol of globe-trotting, enlightened elitism. Now, its leader is entangled in the same sordid network that has ensnared royalty, academics, and billionaires, exposing the potential hypocrisy at the heart of the global elite.
The question for the WEF is no longer about managing global risks but managing its own reputation: can an institution built on preaching ethical leadership survive the shame of its CEO’s association with Jeffrey Epstein? The world is watching.
