Overview
- The World Economic Forum commissioned an external review into Borge Brende’s three dinners and subsequent email and SMS exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, with Brende remaining in his role but excluded from the process.
- Newly released U.S. Department of Justice files mention Brende more than 60 times, and reporting from the records indicates contact continued until shortly before Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
- Brende says he was introduced to Epstein in 2018 by Terje Rød-Larsen, claims he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal history at the time, and expresses regret for not vetting him.
- WEF founder Klaus Schwab, who stepped down from his executive role in 2024, denies being informed in 2019 and has indicated he may pursue legal action over the assertion.
- Norway’s Økokrim opened a formal investigation into former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland on suspicion of aggravated corruption, seeking to lift his immunity as investigators examine possible gifts, travel, and loans, with Jagland pledging to cooperate.