Listen to the article
Commerce Secretary Lutnick to Testify Before House Panel on Epstein Ties
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will voluntarily testify before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday regarding his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier who died by suicide in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.
The testimony comes after South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace threatened to force a vote to subpoena Lutnick if he did not agree to appear. Though the House is currently in a district work period, Democratic committee members, led by Ranking Member Robert Garcia of California, are expected to question Lutnick about what they describe as discrepancies in his accounts of his relationship with Epstein.
“The Secretary looks forward to addressing any questions on the record when he testifies voluntarily before the Oversight Committee,” a Department of Commerce spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “He looks forward to putting to rest the inaccurate and baseless claims in the media designed to distract from his historic work underway at the Commerce Department.”
Lutnick, a billionaire businessman and former CEO of Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald, previously stated in a New York Post interview that he ended his relationship with Epstein in 2005. The two were neighbors in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, with their townhomes sharing a wall.
However, during Senate testimony in February, Lutnick acknowledged that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private Caribbean island in 2012, contradicting his earlier timeline. “We left with all of my children, with my nannies and my wife. All together. We were on a family vacation,” Lutnick told lawmakers. “I don’t recall why we did it, but we did.”
This visit occurred four years after Epstein had already been convicted in Florida state court of soliciting a minor for prostitution. Epstein served just 13 months in prison under what critics have called a “sweetheart deal” that provided immunity from federal prosecution.
During a House Budget Committee hearing in April, Democratic lawmakers pressed Lutnick on these inconsistencies. Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania directly asked, “Why did you lie about your relationship with Jeffrey Epstein?” Lutnick declined to answer, arguing the question was not relevant to the hearing topic, which focused on the Commerce Department’s budget request.
Despite these controversies, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has praised Lutnick’s willingness to testify. “I commend his demonstrated commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the Committee,” Comer said in a March statement. “I look forward to his testimony.”
The Department of Justice released photos showing Lutnick with Epstein, further fueling questions about the extent of their relationship. However, the commerce secretary has consistently maintained that his connection to Epstein was limited, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s criminal activities.
Lutnick is not the only Trump administration official facing scrutiny in the committee’s Epstein investigation. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled for a transcribed interview on May 29 after being subpoenaed. Democrats and some Republicans had previously threatened contempt charges against Bondi over her handling of Epstein-related documents if she refused to testify.
The Epstein investigation continues to cast a shadow over multiple high-profile figures in business and politics. Epstein’s 2019 death while in federal custody came after he was indicted on charges of sex trafficking minors, following years of accusations that he had abused dozens of underage girls at his properties in New York, Florida, and his private Caribbean island.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
11 Comments
The Commerce Department plays a key role in overseeing important industries like mining and commodities. Lutnick’s potential connections to Epstein’s alleged crimes raise serious concerns about conflicts of interest and ethics. I hope this hearing provides clarity on these issues.
Absolutely. Given the gravity of the Epstein case, it’s critical that Lutnick is fully transparent and that any wrongdoing is swiftly addressed. The integrity of the Commerce Department is at stake.
This hearing could have major implications for the mining and commodities sectors that the Commerce Department oversees. Lutnick needs to provide credible answers about his Epstein connections and demonstrate that he can lead the department with integrity.
Well said. The stakes are high, and Lutnick’s testimony will be closely watched. Transparency and accountability should be the top priorities.
I’m curious to see how Lutnick responds to the allegations about his ties to Epstein. Given his high-profile position, any impropriety or ethical lapses would be very concerning. This hearing could shed important light on his conduct and fitness for the role.
Interesting to see the Commerce Secretary called to testify about his ties to Epstein. Given the high-profile nature of this case, transparency and accountability will be crucial. I’m curious to hear Lutnick’s account and how he plans to address the reported discrepancies.
Agreed, this is an important hearing that deserves close scrutiny. The public deserves to know the full truth about the extent of Lutnick’s relationship with Epstein.
The Commerce Department plays a vital role in regulating key industries like mining, energy, and commodities. Lutnick’s potential Epstein connections could undermine public trust in the department’s integrity and impartiality. I hope this hearing provides much-needed clarity.
Agreed. The American people deserve to have confidence that the Commerce Secretary is acting in the public interest, not serving his own private agenda. Lutnick’s testimony will be closely scrutinized.
As a billionaire businessman, Lutnick’s ties to Epstein are concerning. I’m glad he’s testifying, but I hope the committee presses him firmly on the specifics of their relationship and any potential conflicts of interest. The public deserves the full truth.
As someone with deep ties to Wall Street, Lutnick’s relationship with Epstein raises red flags. I hope the committee probes this issue thoroughly and holds him accountable if any wrongdoing is uncovered. The public interest must come before private interests.