Commerce Secretary Lutnick Admits 2012 Lunch on Epstein Island
Lutnick told senators he had an hourlong lunch on Jeffrey Epstein's private island on Dec. 23, 2012 amid bipartisan calls for his resignation.
Overview
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified on Feb. 10 that he, his wife and four children had an hourlong lunch with Jeffrey Epstein on Little St. James island in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Dec. 23, 2012.
The Justice Department has released about 3.5 million documents and withheld roughly 2.5 million related to Epstein, and records show emails mentioning Lutnick, a Dec. 28, 2012 business contract and contacts as late as 2018 that Senate Democrats say contradict his claim he cut ties in 2005.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon pressed Lutnick to correct the record and produce documents, while Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Ro Khanna of California publicly called for his resignation, according to testimony and public statements.
Lutnick told senators he located 'probably about 10 emails' connecting him to Epstein amid more than three million pages in the release, and records show some exchanges occurred years after Epstein's 2008 conviction, expanding the documented timeframe of interaction.
Lawmakers said they will pursue further disclosures after Khanna said he identified six names he believes were improperly redacted and Massie called the names 'likely incriminated,' and senators demanded Lutnick provide his records even though he declined to promise to submit them, saying 'I have nothing to hide' in testimony.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story around Lutnick’s credibility and potential hypocrisy, emphasizing contradictions between his earlier denials and recently released documents. Editorial choices — charged descriptors, prioritizing Democratic questioning, and juxtaposing his podcast comments with emails and island visit — steer readers toward skepticism while quoting denials as source content.
Sources (15)
FAQ
Lutnick testified that he, his wife, four children, and nannies had a one-hour lunch with Epstein on Little St. James island on December 23, 2012, during a family vacation.
Lutnick previously claimed in 2005, after touring Epstein's townhouse, he and his wife decided never to be in the same room with Epstein again socially, for business, or philanthropy, but documents show continued contacts including the 2012 lunch after Epstein's 2008 conviction.
On December 28, 2012, Lutnick and Epstein signed a contract on behalf of their companies to acquire stakes in Adfin, an advertising technology company; emails also show contacts in 2011, 2013, and as late as 2018.
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) pressed for corrections and documents; Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) publicly called for his resignation.
President Trump fully supports Lutnick as a key team member, despite bipartisan calls for resignation and demands for more documents.
History
7 sources