Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense questioning from Democratic lawmakers during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday. Lutnick admitted to having met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, contradicting his earlier assertions that he had severed ties with Epstein as of 2005.
Despite this acknowledgment, Lutnick minimized the significance of their relationship, characterizing their interactions as limited to a few emails and two meetings spaced years apart. “I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with him,” Lutnick stated. This admission comes as he grapples with increasing scrutiny and bipartisan calls for his resignation in light of the newly released Epstein case files, which conflict with Lutnick's claims made on a podcast last year, where he insisted he would "never be in the room" with Epstein again following a disturbing 2005 visit to Epstein’s home.
During the Senate hearing, Lutnick disclosed that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and attended another meeting at Epstein’s home in 2011. These revelations mark Lutnick as the highest-profile U.S. official entangled in controversy following links to Epstein, particularly as lawmakers seek accountability amidst the implications of the Epstein files. Unlike in the United Kingdom, where similar revelations have led to resignations and royal privileges being rescinded, the reaction from U.S. officials has been more tempered.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed support for Lutnick, emphasizing his importance to President Trump’s administration. Democrats such as Sen. Chris Van Hollen questioned Lutnick's credibility, stating, “There’s not an indication that you yourself engaged in any wrongdoing with Jeffrey Epstein. It’s the fact that you believe that you misled the country and the Congress based on your earlier statements.” Van Hollen did not publicly call for Lutnick’s resignation but did request documentation related to his interactions with Epstein.
Lutnick responded to this request by asserting that he had nothing to hide, stating he would consider providing the documents. Several Senate Republicans have also voiced concerns regarding his connections to Epstein. Sen. Roger Wicker noted that Lutnick’s visit to Epstein’s private island raised questions, with Sen. Thom Tillis expressing his own concerns and suggesting that Lutnick clarify the nature of his relationship with Epstein, especially regarding any business interactions.
In parallel, several House members, particularly Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), have called for Lutnick’s resignation following the release of emails suggesting his meetings with Epstein. Khanna commented on the broader implications, stating, “It’s not about any particular person. In this country, we have to make a decision. Are we going to allow the rich and powerful people who are friends and (had) no problem doing business and showing up with a pedophile who is raping underage girls, are we just going to allow them to skate?”
