Commerce – Lutnick Acknowledges 2012 Epstein Island Lunch Amid Scrutiny
Commerce – US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed that he once had lunch on Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island, a disclosure that has intensified bipartisan scrutiny and prompted renewed calls for his resignation from President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
Lutnick addressed the issue during a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, acknowledging that he visited Little Saint James in 2012. He described the meeting as a brief, one-hour lunch that took place while he was vacationing with his family. According to Lutnick, his wife, children and their caregivers were present during the visit.
Lawmakers Demand Answers
The revelation comes as several lawmakers question Lutnick’s previous statements about his association with Epstein, the financier who was later convicted of sex offenses. Documents recently released by the Justice Department appear to conflict with Lutnick’s earlier assertion that he had cut off contact with Epstein more than two decades ago.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff publicly called for Lutnick’s resignation, arguing that discrepancies in his account raise concerns about judgment and ethics. On the Republican side, Representative Thomas Massie also suggested that stepping down would be appropriate, referencing similar situations abroad where officials resigned under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Representative Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, accused Lutnick of misrepresenting the extent of his interactions with Epstein. Garcia cited documents indicating that the two men had at one point invested together in a business venture.
White House Stands Behind Secretary
Despite mounting criticism, the White House has expressed firm support for Lutnick. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Donald Trump continues to back the commerce secretary, describing him as a key member of the administration’s economic team.
In a separate statement, White House spokesperson Kush Desai emphasized that the administration remains focused on policy priorities and economic initiatives rather than the controversy surrounding past associations.
Details of the 2012 Visit
Lutnick told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee that the 2012 lunch occurred during a family trip and that he did not witness any inappropriate conduct while on the island. He stated that aside from his own family and another couple, the only other individuals present were household staff employed on the property.
Little Saint James, located in the US Virgin Islands, has been widely associated with Epstein’s alleged trafficking of underage girls, according to federal prosecutors. High-profile figures who visited the island over the years have faced public examination regarding the nature of their ties to Epstein.
Lutnick insisted that, over a 14-year period beginning in 2005 when he lived near Epstein in New York, he had no meaningful relationship with him. “I barely had anything to do with that person,” he told lawmakers, emphasizing that he had limited contact.
Disputed Meetings and Business Links
In addition to questions about the 2012 visit, Lutnick was asked about records referencing a possible dinner at Epstein’s New York residence in 2011. He denied attending such a dinner, though he acknowledged that documents suggested a planned meeting during that period.
Lawmakers also questioned him about records indicating that Epstein had expressed interest in meeting Lutnick’s nanny. The commerce secretary dismissed that matter as unrelated to him personally.
Throughout the hearing, Lutnick maintained that he has been transparent about his past and has nothing to conceal. He stressed that his professional focus remains on leading the Department of Commerce and advancing economic policy.
Before joining the cabinet last year, Lutnick served as chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald, a major financial services firm. A longtime ally of Trump, he has played a prominent role in shaping trade and business initiatives within the administration.
As congressional scrutiny continues, the political debate over accountability and past associations shows little sign of easing.