Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers spent part of his 2005 honeymoon on Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island, according to newly revealed flight logs that deepen the controversy surrounding his connections to the convicted sex offender.
The Honeymoon Journey
Just ten days after marrying Elisa New in Cambridge, Massachusetts during December 2005, the couple embarked on their honeymoon trip. Flight records obtained by the Harvard Crimson show they boarded Epstein's private plane in Bedford, Massachusetts, destined for Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.
To complete their journey to Epstein's private retreat, Little Saint James, the newlyweds transferred to a helicopter for the final leg. The flight manifests indicate that Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking scheme, was also aboard the same flight.
Context and Timeline of Events
The timing of this visit raises significant questions, as police in Palm Beach had already launched an investigation into Epstein in March 2005 following allegations he had molested a 14-year-old girl. By December 2005, when the Summers' visit occurred, Epstein was actively assembling his legal defence team.
A spokesperson for Summers attempted to contextualise the visit, stating: "Mr. Summers and Ms. New spent their honeymoon in St. John and Jamaica in December 2005, which was long before Mr. Epstein was arrested for the first time. As part of that trip, they made a brief visit of less than a day to Mr. Epstein's island."
Records indicate this wasn't an isolated encounter. Summers flew on Epstein's planes four times in total, with three of those flights occurring during his tenure as Harvard University's president.
Fallout and Consequences
This revelation emerges as Summers steps down from his teaching position at Harvard University following the release of email correspondence between him and Epstein. The Ivy League institution has launched its own investigation into these communications and Summers' broader connections with the disgraced financier.
Before announcing his departure from teaching duties, Summers expressed regret for maintaining contact with Epstein. "I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognise the pain they have caused," he told Politico. "I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein."
The ongoing scrutiny highlights the continuing repercussions for public figures associated with Epstein, even decades after their interactions occurred.
