Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s admission that he visited convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private island with his family in 2012—three years after Epstein’s conviction—contradicts his repeated claims of severing ties in 2005, sparking bipartisan calls for resignation and raising serious questions about honesty in Trump’s Cabinet.
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Story Snapshot
- Lutnick admitted during a February 10, 2026, Senate hearing to visiting Epstein’s island with his wife, four children, and nannies for lunch in December 2012, contradicting prior claims of cutting ties after 2005.
- Newly released Justice Department files reveal ongoing business dealings and email exchanges between Lutnick and Epstein through 2018, including a 2012 investment contract signed days after the island visit.
- Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), are calling for Lutnick’s resignation over misleading statements to Congress.
- The White House maintains President Trump’s support for Lutnick despite mounting pressure, with Democrats questioning his fitness to serve in the Cabinet.
Senate Hearing Reveals Contradictory Timeline
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense scrutiny during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on February 10, 2026, where he acknowledged visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s Caribbean island in December 2012. Lutnick brought his wife, four children, nannies, and another family for what he described as a one-hour lunch.
This admission directly contradicts statements Lutnick made in 2025 on a podcast, where he claimed minimal contact with Epstein and insisted he cut ties after a disturbing 2005 visit to Epstein’s New York apartment. The 2012 visit occurred four years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute, raising serious questions about Lutnick’s judgment.
Business Ties Extended Beyond Social Visits
Recently released Justice Department files expose a deeper relationship between Lutnick and Epstein than previously acknowledged. On December 28, 2012—just four days after the island lunch—Lutnick and Epstein signed a contract for stakes in Adfin, an ad tech company.
Documents show business interactions continued through 2014, with email exchanges occurring as recently as 2018. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon highlighted these connections during the hearing, emphasizing that Lutnick’s prior accounting of his relationship with Epstein was “not full and not complete.”
For conservatives who value transparency and accountability in government, these omissions represent exactly the kind of establishment deception that erodes public trust in Washington.
Bipartisan Pressure Mounts for Resignation
The revelations have triggered unusual bipartisan unity in calling for Lutnick’s departure from the Cabinet. Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican known for his principled stances, demanded Lutnick’s resignation over the weekend following the file releases.
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, echoed these calls on Monday, criticizing what he characterized as elite impunity. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland accused Lutnick of making “highly misleading” statements and questioned his fitness to serve.
Lutnick defended himself during the hearing, stating “we had lunch with all of my children, nothing untoward,” and suggested he might submit additional records to Congress, though he made no firm commitment to do so.
White House Stands Behind Embattled Secretary
Despite mounting pressure from both sides of the aisle, the Trump administration has not wavered in its support for Lutnick. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that President Trump continues to back his Commerce Secretary. Lutnick, who serves as CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and was a Trump appointee, maintains that his interactions with Epstein were limited to “two times in 14 years.”
However, the documented evidence of ongoing business dealings and communications through 2018 contradicts this characterization.
While no evidence suggests Lutnick engaged in any wrongdoing beyond maintaining contact with a convicted offender, the pattern of incomplete disclosures raises legitimate concerns about credibility—a quality essential for any Cabinet official responsible for representing American interests in commerce and trade.
Accountability Standards Apply to All Elites
This controversy highlights a broader issue that resonates deeply with conservative Americans: whether powerful elites are held to the same standards as ordinary citizens. The Epstein files have already led to consequences in other countries, with British figures losing royal privileges over similar associations.
In the United States, accountability has been notably absent despite widespread calls for transparency. For Trump supporters who voted to drain the swamp and restore integrity to government, this situation presents a challenging moment. The administration’s success depends on officials who embody honesty and sound judgment.
When a Cabinet secretary’s statements to Congress prove misleading—regardless of whether criminal conduct occurred—it undermines the administration’s credibility and provides ammunition to political opponents eager to portray the Trump team as protecting elites.
