Former Harvard President Larry Summers has decided to resign from his teaching position at Harvard University amid escalating backlash regarding his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This decision was confirmed by the university on Wednesday evening, marking an end to Summers’ long-standing relationship with the prestigious institution.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard students attended a class where economics professor Larry Summers addressed questions about his connections to Epstein before the lecture began.

As reported by The Harvard Crimson, this development occurred as the university commenced an investigation into Summers’ association with the now-deceased financier.

The shift followed a video released by students in Summers’ economics class earlier that week. In the video, Summers expressed regret over his past interactions with Epstein while speaking on stage.

Further scrutiny of their relationship was sparked by the release of numerous private emails between Summers and Epstein by a House committee, revealing that Summers had sought romantic guidance from Epstein.

Also, late Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed legislation allowing the Justice Department to release the files related to Epstein.

Former Harvard University president Larry Summers announces he will step back from public commitments following the release of correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. (Getty Images)

In a statement released to Fox News, Summer’s spokesperson confirmed he “has decided it’s in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review.”

“His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester,” the spokesperson added.

Summers has held his Harvard directorship since 2011. He also served as Treasury Secretary under former President Clinton’s administration and was the director of the National Economic Council from 2009 to 2010.

Initially, Summers said he was stepping back from public commitments, after which he resigned from the board of OpenAI on Monday.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Summers said that “in line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company and look forward to following their progress.”