Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein Ties

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:14:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Under increasing pressure from lawmakers, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admits to meetings with Jeffrey Epstein post-conviction, prompting calls for his resignation amid growing concerns over accountability in the Epstein scandal.

During a Senate hearing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted to meeting Jeffrey Epstein twice after Epstein's 2008 conviction. Despite his previous claims of severing ties in 2005, lawmakers are urging Lutnick to resign following the release of information contradicting his statements. Bipartisan criticism is growing as details emerge about Lutnick's interactions with Epstein, raising questions about the implications of their relationship and the expectations of accountability for powerful figures.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under questioning from Democrats on Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child, reversing Lutnick’s previous claim that he had cut ties with the late financier after 2005.

Lutnick downplayed his relationship with Epstein during a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He characterized their contact as a few emails and meetings years apart.

“I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with him,” Lutnick told lawmakers.

However, Lutnick is facing calls for his resignation after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted Lutnick’s assertions made in a podcast last year. Lutnick had stated he would never be in the room with Epstein again after a disconcerting tour of Epstein’s home in 2005.

During the Senate hearing, Lutnick revealed he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and met again in 2011 at Epstein’s residence. As a member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, Lutnick is the highest-profile U.S. official facing bipartisan calls for resignation amid scrutiny from the release of what’s known as the Epstein files.

While in the UK and other countries this situation has led to resignations and the stripping of privileges, U.S. leaders so far have not faced similar consequences.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen told Lutnick, There’s not an indication that you yourself engaged in any wrongdoing with Jeffrey Epstein. It’s the fact that you believe that you misled the country and the Congress based on your earlier statements. Meanwhile, calls for Lutnick’s resignation have intensified, with members from both parties pushing for accountability regarding his connections to Epstein.