Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick presents his budgetary projections to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies financial hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 23, 2026. Jose Luis Magana/AP
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick gave testimony in private on Wednesday concerning his association with Jeffrey Epstein, thus making him the initial Trump cabinet member to be questioned as a segment of the House Oversight Committee probe into the deceased financier.
Lutnick consented to the voluntary recorded interview following months of critique concerning his connection to Epstein — who at one time resided near Lutnick — and prior declarations downplaying his acquaintance with the infamous sex criminal.
During an interview the previous year with The New York Post, Lutnick portrayed Epstein as "repulsive" and asserted that he stated back in 2005 that he would "never be present in the same area as that offensive individual ever again" upon examining Epstein's New York City residence.
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick delivers his budget estimates to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies budget hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 23, 2026.Jose Luis Magana/AP
Nevertheless, records made public by the Justice Department demonstrated that Lutnick had planned a trip to Epstein's exclusive isle in 2012 — years following Epstein's admission of guilt to a pair of prostitution-related accusations in 2008.
"We are eager to pay you a visit," Lutnick's spouse communicated to Epstein's aide through email. "We would be delighted to join you for a midday meal."
When questioned regarding the records in February, Lutnick verified that he visited the isle and asserted that he observed nothing unsuitable throughout his stay.
"I did partake in lunch alongside him, as I was on a vessel journeying across on a family getaway. My spouse accompanied me, as did my quartet of children and caretakers," Lutnick testified before Congress in February.
While the DOJ's Epstein documentation incorporated a snapshot from that excursion, the Department of Justice acknowledged that they momentarily took down the image prior to reinstating it subsequent to public outcry. A DOJ representative maintained that the picture was briefly taken down within a "collection of files denoted for indecency," despite the fact that the image contained no indecency and incorporated no deletions when it was restored.
Lutnick also seemed to enter into a commercial arrangement with Epstein in 2012, as indicated by records published by the Justice Department. The two men endorsed business documents in 2012 aiming to procure an advertising organization referred to as Adfin.
Additional records issued by the DOJ revealed Epstein committed to contribute $50,000 in 2017 pertaining to an evening meal held in Lutnick's honor.
During his New York Post exchange the prior year, Lutnick conveyed his belief that Epstein could have resorted to coercion to secure the "favorable settlement" he gained during his initial legal situation in 2008.
"I surmise, long ago, they bartered those recordings in return for him securing that 18-month term, which authorized him to receive visitors and be at liberty from confinement. I mean, he embodies a repeat sexual transgressor. How could he be handed 18 months and be capable of attending his place of work throughout the day and entertain callers and whatnot? There must have existed a quid pro quo," Lutnick remarked.
President Donald Trump listens as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks in the Oval Office of the White House before he signs an executive order Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Washington.Alex Brandon/AP
However, those assertions contrast with pronouncements from various Trump administration representatives who have upheld that Epstein did not traffic young females for figures beyond himself nor hold potentially damaging details concerning prominent persons.
"There exists no dependable data. Zero. If it existed, I would prosecute the case immediately, citing that he trafficked for the sake of other individuals," FBI Director Kash Patel stated the prior year.
When questioned concerning Lutnick's liaison with Epstein in February, President Trump characterized Lutnick as a "highly blameless individual" and implied his preparedness to present testimony.
"Well, Howard would step in and execute whatever he must articulate," Trump declared. "He constitutes a supremely innocent man, executing an admirable role."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com