Epstein Files: Calls for Lutnick Resignation & Trump Commerce Secretary Link
- US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in December 2012, a revelation that contradicts his previous assertions that he had severed ties...
- “I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation,” Lutnick testified on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
- The visit was brought to light through correspondence included in documents released by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein’s crimes.
Commerce Secretary Lutnick Confirms 2012 Visit to Epstein’s Island, Contradicts Earlier Statements
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in December 2012, a revelation that contradicts his previous assertions that he had severed ties with the convicted sex offender years earlier. The confirmation came during testimony before a Senate committee, where Lutnick acknowledged having lunch on the island with his wife and four children.
“I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation,” Lutnick testified on Tuesday, . “My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies … We had lunch on the island. That is true. For an hour.”
The visit was brought to light through correspondence included in documents released by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein’s crimes. An email from Lutnick’s wife, Allison, dated December 2012, expressed anticipation for the visit, writing to Epstein’s assistant, “We are looking forward to visiting you” and, “We would love to join you for lunch.”
Lutnick had previously told Congress he ended his relationship with Epstein in 2005, after Epstein allegedly made sexually suggestive comments and displayed a massage table in his home. He reiterated on Tuesday that he had limited contact with Epstein following that initial encounter. “Over the next 14 years, I met him two other times that I can recall,” he stated.
The Justice Department files show Lutnick’s visit to the Caribbean island occurred on , four years after Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a child. Lutnick stated he did not recall the specific reason for the visit, saying, “I don’t recall why we did it, but we did it.”
The revelation has prompted calls for Lutnick’s resignation, particularly from Democratic lawmakers. Axios reported that Democrats are demanding Lutnick step down in light of the newly released files. However, the White House has publicly expressed its continued support for the Commerce Secretary, stating he has the “full support” of President Donald Trump.
Despite the calls for his resignation, Lutnick has downplayed the significance of his connection to Epstein. According to Al Jazeera, Lutnick told the Senate committee he “barely knew” Epstein, a claim that appears to be at odds with the documented email correspondence and the confirmed visit to the island. NBC News reported that Lutnick assured lawmakers there was nothing “untoward” about the visit.
The controversy surrounding Lutnick is part of a broader scrutiny of political and financial elites with ties to Epstein. Politico noted the White House is currently shrugging off the controversy, and Lutnick’s political opponents are seizing on the revelations. CBS News reported that the Epstein files also reveal Lutnick and Epstein were in business together.
Lutnick’s testimony marks the first time he has publicly confirmed the 2012 visit to Epstein’s island. The situation remains fluid as lawmakers continue to assess the implications of the newly released information and consider further action.