- News
- World
- Americas
- US politics
Lutnick became neighbors with Epstein in 2005 in New York City, and corresponded with him occasionally over the next 12 years
Ariana Baio in New York Tuesday 03 March 2026 22:08 GMT- Bookmark
- CommentsGo to comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popoverCommerce Secretary Howard Luntick admits to visiting Epstein's island for lunch in 2012
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
Get our free Inside Washington email
Email*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
Howard Lutnick has volunteered to testify before the House Oversight Committee about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the chairman said Tuesday – a development that comes weeks after documents revealed Trump’s Commerce Secretary had visited the sex offender’s island.
Lutnick, who has denied wrongdoing and has never been accused of a crime associated with Epstein, was revealed to have brought his family to have lunch with Epstein on his island in 2012, according to emails released from the Epstein files.
The revelation contradicted a statement that Lutnick made in October when he boasted that he was so disgusted by Epstein when they met in 2005 that he was “never in the room with [Epstein] socially, for business or even philanthropy.”
"I look forward to appearing before the committee,” Lutnick said in a new statement obtained by Axios. “I have done nothing wrong, and I want to set the record straight."
Republican Rep. James Comer, who heads the committee, commended Lutnick for “proactively” and “voluntarily” agreeing to testify before the committee.
open image in galleryCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told lawmakers in February he did not witness anything ‘untoward’ on Epstein’s island while visiting for lunch (AFP via Getty Images)“I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the Committee. I look forward to his testimony,” Comer said in a statement posted on X.
Lutnick’s testimony is expected to be a closed-door, recorded deposition similar to that of former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire Leslie Wexner, Axios reported. Like those depositions, a transcript and recording will be released later.
The Independent has asked the House Oversight Committee and Commerce Department for comment.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement: “Secretary Lutnick continues to be a critical asset for President Trump, having played a key role in securing major trade and investment deals. The entire Trump administration, including Secretary Lutnick, remain focused on delivering more wins for the American people.”
Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee said last week they wanted Lutnick to testify about his relationship with Epstein after documents from the files indicated the two corresponded more than he had previously made known.
Lutnick was neighbors with Epstein in New York City for years, but said he didn’t closely associate with him. In a podcast interview in October, Lutnick claimed he found Epstein “gross” after meeting him because Epstein had indicated he received sexual massages.
open image in galleryA photo, released by the Justice Department, appears to show Lutnick (second right), Epstein and three other individuals on a cliffside overlooking the ocean (Department of Justice)Lutnick said he did not associate with Epstein for social, business or philanthropic reasons.
Before becoming commerce secretary, Lutnick served as CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, an investment banking and financial services firm. His net worth is an estimated $3 billion, according to Forbes.
However, when the Justice Department released three million documents in the Epstein files, emails revealed Lutnick and Epstein were scheduled to have drinks in May 2011, and spoke various times over the phone beginning in 2009. Epstein donated $50,000 to a philanthropic dinner recognizing Lutnick in 2017.
Lutnick and Epstein also arranged to have lunch on Epstein’s island in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012 while he was on vacation with his family and a group of family friends.
When asked about the encounter during an unrelated Senate hearing in February, Lutnick said he did not witness anything “untoward” while on the island.
“My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple, they were there as well with their children and we had lunch on the island. That is true. For an hour. Then we left,” Lutnick told lawmakers at the time.
Epstein, a financier, was accused of running a longtime sex trafficking scheme, in which he abused young women and allegedly underage girls, that benefited a network of high-profile individuals. He was indicted in 2019 on charges of child sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors; however, he died in federal prison before he could go to trial.
Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted on child sex trafficking, among other charges, in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
More about
Howard LutnickJeffrey EpsteinCongressHouse Oversight CommitteeJoin our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments