10.02.2026 20:41
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick made a statement regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick acknowledged the claim that he had lunch on Epstein's island.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that he and his family had lunch years ago on billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's island.
Lutnick spoke at a session titled "Review of Broadband Distribution Financing at the Department of Commerce" in the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, who spoke at the session, referred to Lutnick's connection to Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while awaiting trial on charges of establishing a sex trafficking network involving underage girls.
EPSTEIN ALLEGATIONS CAME TO THE FORE
Van Hollen stated, "The issue is not whether you did anything wrong in connection with Epstein, but that you misrepresented the extent of your relationship with him to Congress, the American people, and the victims of his actions."
Van Hollen noted that Lutnick had said in 2005 that he was "disgusted" by Epstein's sexual implications when he encountered him with his wife and implied that he had not done anything with Epstein afterward, but pointed out that this had been proven to be untrue.
Van Hollen remarked, "Recent information from Epstein's files shows that your statements were at best extremely misleading. The files indicate that you interacted with him for 13 years afterward, even after a minor girl and a secretary were convicted of attempting prostitution in 2008. This raises questions about your suitability for the position you currently hold and your credibility before this committee and Congress."
ADMITTED TO HAVING LUNCH
Lutnick expressed his satisfaction in clarifying the situation in the Senate, stating that he met Epstein when he moved to the house next door in New York.
He noted that in the 14 years since then, he could remember meeting Epstein "twice" six years later and a year and a half after that, and that he had not met him again. Secretary Lutnick said, "Probably, among millions of documents, there are maybe 10 emails that associate me with him. I had no relationship with him over a 14-year period. I had almost no connection with that person."
Lutnick confirmed that he had lunch with Epstein while on a family vacation on a boat, stating that his wife, four children, and nannies were there along with another couple and their children.
Lutnick said, "We had lunch on the island, that's true, for an hour, and we left there with all my children, nannies, and my wife." When asked if he saw anything inappropriate during his visit to the island, Lutnick replied that the only thing he saw was staff working for Epstein on the island.
"I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE"
When asked if he had dinner at Epstein's house in New York, Lutnick answered, "No."
When asked if he was willing to share all records he had related to Epstein to ensure the completeness of the file, Lutnick stated, "Absolutely, I have nothing to hide."