Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday regarding his past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing, a transcribed interview held behind closed doors, was not televised. A transcript of the proceedings is expected to be released at a later date.
"I have done nothing wrong." — Secretary Lutnick, prior to the hearing.
Testimony Details
According to statements from committee members and the Commerce Department, Secretary Lutnick voluntarily appeared before the committee. He stated he sought to "set the record straight."
During the hearing, Lutnick confirmed that he and his family, including his wife and four children, had lunch with Epstein on Epstein's private Caribbean island in 2012. He described the visit as a one-hour stop during a family vacation and stated he does not recall the specific reason for the visit.
Lutnick has characterized his interactions with Epstein as limited, citing approximately 10 emails and three meetings over a 14-year period. He has stated he met Epstein in 2005 and that they were neighbors in New York.
Lawmaker Reactions
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) described Lutnick as "forthcoming" during the hearing. He noted that Lutnick's previous statements about his interactions with Epstein "wasn't 100% truthful" but assessed that the secretary committed no wrongdoing. Comer stated that Lutnick and Epstein owned adjacent properties and interacted on only three occasions over a decade.
Committee Democrats, including Representatives James Walkinshaw (D-VA) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), accused Lutnick of lying and evading questions. Representative Khanna called the testimony "embarrassing." Democrats argued the hearing should have been televised.
Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) had previously called for Lutnick to testify after a photo from the Department of Justice's Epstein database appeared to show Lutnick with Epstein. The photo, which also includes Lutnick's associate Michael Lehrman, was temporarily removed from the DOJ website before being reposted.
Background on Lutnick-Epstein Relationship
- Lutnick has stated he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, but later acknowledged visiting Epstein's island with his family in 2012.
- Epstein files indicate the two signed agreements on the same day in 2012 to buy stakes in a digital advertising firm, Adfin.
- Released documents include Epstein's schedule showing a meeting with Lutnick in 2011.
- Lutnick communicated with Epstein through Epstein's assistant as recently as 2018.
- Lutnick is not accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Statements from Others
- Attorney James Marsh, representing Epstein victims, stated the hearing did not provide real substance for identifying alleged perpetrators and called for accountability for Epstein's criminal enterprise.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in February that "Secretary Lutnick remains a very important member of President Trump's team, and the president fully supports the secretary."
- Commerce Department stated prior to the hearing that Lutnick volunteered to appear and looked forward to "putting to rest the inaccurate and baseless claims in the media."
Context and Related Investigations
- Lutnick is the highest-ranking Trump Cabinet member named in the Epstein files to appear before the committee.
- Appearance in the Epstein files does not necessarily indicate criminal wrongdoing.
- The committee has also released deposition footage from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding their alleged ties to Epstein. Both Clintons distanced themselves from Epstein in their testimonies.
- Future witnesses scheduled include Bill Gates and former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Some lawmakers from both parties have called for Lutnick's resignation, though the White House has expressed continued support.