Lutnick Retracts Epstein 'Blackmail' Claim to House Panel
Lutnick said he was speculating about Epstein blackmail, described three brief encounters, and faced Democratic calls to resign after his May 6 committee transcript was released.
MS NOWHoward Lutnick minimizes Epstein island visit in newly released testimony transcript
Washington ExaminerLutnick said Epstein made 'sexual' remark about massages during 2005 visit
Associated PressLutnick backs away from his Epstein 'blackmail' claim in interview with House committee
Washington TimesLutnick backs away from his Epstein ‘blackmail’ claim in interview with House committee
Overview
On May 6, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told the House Oversight Committee he had only three brief encounters with Jeffrey Epstein and that prior blackmail claims were speculation, the committee transcript shows.
He had told a podcast he would 'never be in a room again' with Epstein after a 2005 visit, but told lawmakers his blackmail claim was speculation.
Democrats called Lutnick evasive and dishonest and Rep. Robert Garcia said he should resign or be fired, while the White House defended him and Oversight Chairman James Comer praised his transparency.
A Commerce spokesperson said Lutnick answered nearly 400 questions; he and Epstein invested in the same company around 2013 to 2014, and his name appears in more than 3 million pages of files.
The Republican-led panel plans further testimony, and former Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled to appear before the committee on 29 May.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this coverage neutrally: editorial choices avoid loaded language and clearly separate editorial framing from source content. They attribute accusations to lawmakers ('evasive and dishonest'), report Lutnick's repeated denials and explanations, note White House support, and lay out factual timelines (podcast claim, case files, meetings) without asserting guilt.