Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to Testify in House Epstein Investigation
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has volunteered to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding his relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, as confirmed by committee chairman James Comer on Tuesday. This development follows the release of documents showing Lutnick visited Epstein's private island in 2012, contradicting his earlier statements about avoiding social interactions with Epstein.
Contradictions and Revelations from Epstein Files
Emails released from the Epstein files indicate that Lutnick, along with his family, had lunch on Epstein's island in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012. This directly conflicts with a statement Lutnick made in October, where he claimed he was so disgusted by Epstein after meeting him in 2005 that he was "never in the room with [Epstein] socially, for business or even philanthropy."
In a new statement obtained by Axios, Lutnick asserted, "I look forward to appearing before the committee. I have done nothing wrong, and I want to set the record straight." He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has never been accused of crimes related to Epstein.
Committee Chairman Commends Voluntary Testimony
Republican Representative James Comer, who leads the House Oversight Committee, praised Lutnick for "proactively" and "voluntarily" agreeing to testify. In a statement posted on X, Comer said, "I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the Committee. I look forward to his testimony."
Lutnick's testimony is expected to be a closed-door, recorded deposition, similar to those of former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and billionaire Leslie Wexner. A transcript and recording will be released at a later date.
Background on Lutnick's Relationship with Epstein
Lutnick became neighbors with Epstein in New York City in 2005 and corresponded with him occasionally over the next 12 years. Before serving as Commerce Secretary under President Trump, Lutnick was the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, an investment banking firm, with an estimated net worth of $3 billion according to Forbes.
Documents reveal that Lutnick and Epstein were scheduled to have drinks in May 2011 and spoke various times on the phone starting in 2009. Epstein also donated $50,000 to a philanthropic dinner recognizing Lutnick in 2017.
Lutnick's Defense and White House Support
During an unrelated Senate hearing in February, Lutnick addressed the 2012 island visit, stating he did not witness anything "untoward." He explained, "My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple, they were there as well with their children and we had lunch on the island. That is true. For an hour. Then we left."
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended Lutnick, saying in a statement, "Secretary Lutnick continues to be a critical asset for President Trump, having played a key role in securing major trade and investment deals. The entire Trump administration, including Secretary Lutnick, remain focused on delivering more wins for the American people."
Context of the Epstein Case
Jeffrey Epstein was accused of running a long-term sex trafficking scheme involving young women and allegedly underage girls, benefiting a network of high-profile individuals. Indicted in 2019 on charges of child sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors, Epstein died in federal prison before trial. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted on child sex trafficking charges in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee have expressed interest in Lutnick's testimony to clarify the extent of his relationship with Epstein, as documents suggest more correspondence than previously disclosed.
