Epstein Scandal: Davos Forum Head Resigns and New Allegations Against Elites

The disclosure of new documents from the so-called 'Epstein files' has led to a sudden destabilization of prestigious international institutions. The most significant personal consequence is the resignation of Børge Brende, who for years led the World Economic Forum in Davos. This decision was made following an internal audit that confirmed Brende's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which, in light of the organization's upcoming summits, was deemed an untenable burden. The organization, a symbol of global elite cooperation, is facing the most serious image crisis in its history, and commentators point to an urgent need for transparency reform in leadership selection.The World Economic Forum, founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, has become the main platform for dialogue between business and politics, but has long been criticized for its lack of democratic legitimacy and exclusivity.Simultaneously, dramatic events occurred in Scandinavia involving former Norwegian Prime Minister and former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. The politician was hospitalized due to severe stress, coinciding with official corruption charges being brought against him regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Local media speculate about a suicide attempt, which has caused shock in Norwegian public opinion. This case, alongside Brende's resignation, reveals the depth of infiltration of the highest echelons of power in Nordic countries by the network of the financier who died in 2019.5 — individuals from Norwegian elites directly linked to the scandalIn the United States, public attention is focused on Bill Gates, who publicly admitted that maintaining contacts with Epstein was a "huge mistake." New reports suggest Epstein possessed knowledge of the billionaire's affairs, including a relationship with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova, which could have been used for blackmail attempts. The scandal is also hitting the British monarchy, where the arrest of Prince Andrew has intensified political demands to take legal steps to remove him from the line of succession. Although the prince formally remains in the line of succession, his political and social isolation is now complete, and the Crown is striving at all costs to avoid further image damage.The British line of succession is regulated by the Act of Settlement 1701 and subsequent amendments; changing these provisions requires consent not only from the British Parliament but also from Commonwealth countries.The recent days show that the investigation is entering an institutional phase – from resignations at Harvard University, through changes in Davos, to hearings of politicians in the US Congress and the EU's anti-corruption agency OLAF. The scale of the phenomenon suggests we are not dealing with incidental meetings, but with a systemic problem of susceptibility of high-ranking officials and opinion leaders to manipulation and blackmail by criminal circles.

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the necessity for systemic changes in Davos and elite transparency, while avoiding excessive stigmatization of individuals. Conservative media highlight the moral decline of globalist power structures and target figures such as Bill Gates and Bill Clinton.