WASHINGTON, DC — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged Tuesday that he once had lunch with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Epstein’s private island, an admission that has intensified bipartisan calls in Congress for his resignation.
Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Lutnick said the encounter occurred in 2012 while he was traveling by boat during a family vacation. He told lawmakers that his wife, children, and nannies were present, along with another family, and that the visit lasted about an hour. Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution-related charges in Florida, including soliciting a minor, under a deal that allowed him to avoid federal prosecution.
The disclosure comes as members of Congress from both parties question Lutnick’s past statements about distancing himself from Epstein. Recent document releases indicate Lutnick discussed visiting Epstein’s island years after Epstein’s conviction, contradicting earlier claims that he cut ties in 2005.
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, called on Lutnick to step down, saying his resignation would spare the administration further controversy. Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Robert Garcia, Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu, and Melanie Stansbury, as well as Sen. Adam Schiff, have also demanded Lutnick’s resignation and further questioning.
During his testimony, Lutnick insisted he had minimal contact with Epstein, saying he met him only a handful of times over more than a decade and had no substantive relationship. The controversy has added to scrutiny surrounding officials named in newly released Epstein-related records, with lawmakers signaling continued oversight.
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