WASHINGTON (AP) — Under questioning from Democrats Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. This marks a reversal of Lutnick’s earlier claims that he had severed ties with Epstein after 2005.
Lutnick downplayed his relationship with Epstein during a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee hearing, describing their interactions as minimal, limited to “a handful of emails and a pair of meetings” several years apart. “I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with him,” Lutnick asserted.
However, following the release of Epstein case files that contradict Lutnick’s previous statements made on a podcast last year, he is now facing substantial calls for his resignation. Lawmakers are demanding accountability after it was revealed that Lutnick and his family had dined with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and had another meeting at his home in 2011, contradicting Lutnick’s claims of cutting ties.
As a member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, Lutnick represents a significant figure amid bipartisan scrutiny. Following the latest revelations regarding his ties to Epstein, officials in both parties, including Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie, have called for his resignation. Khanna emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “It’s not about any particular person... Are we just going to allow them to skate?” Echoing similar sentiments, Senator Chris Van Hollen remarked that Lutnick had misled Congress.
While the U.S. struggles with appropriate repercussions for officials tied to Epstein, other countries like the UK have seen more decisive actions. As the fallout continues, Lutnick’s position in the Cabinet remains uncertain, reflecting the growing pressure on U.S. leaders to confront the implications of their connections to Epstein.
