Commerce Secretary Lutnick Acknowledges Meetings with Epstein

Lutnick reverses previous claims about his relationship with the disgraced financier.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Under questioning from Democrats, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Jeffrey Epstein twice after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child, contradicting Lutnick's previous claims that he had cut ties with Epstein after 2005. Lutnick is now facing growing scrutiny and calls for his resignation from lawmakers over the revelations about his ties to Epstein.

Why it matters

Lutnick's acknowledgment of meetings with Epstein after 2008 contradicts his previous statements and raises questions about his relationship with the disgraced financier. As a high-ranking government official, Lutnick's ties to Epstein have become a political liability, leading to bipartisan calls for his resignation.

The details

Lutnick told senators that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and that he had another hour-long engagement at Epstein's home in 2011. This contradicts Lutnick's previous claim that he had decided to 'never be in the room' with Epstein again after a 2005 tour of Epstein's home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

  • In 2005, Lutnick and his wife toured Epstein's home, which disturbed them.
  • In 2008, Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a child.
  • In 2011, Lutnick had an hour-long engagement at Epstein's home.
  • In 2012, Lutnick and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island.

The players

Howard Lutnick

The current U.S. Commerce Secretary who is facing growing scrutiny and calls for his resignation over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a child in 2008.

Chris Van Hollen

A Democratic senator who questioned Lutnick about his ties to Epstein and requested documentation from Lutnick on any of his ties to Epstein.

Roger Wicker

A Republican senator who said Lutnick's visit to Epstein's private island 'would raise questions.'

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator who expressed concern over Lutnick's relationship with Epstein and said Lutnick 'would do himself a service by just laying exactly what and what did not happen.'

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Chris Van Hollen, Senator

“It's absolutely essential that he provide Congress with those documents, given the misrepresentations he's made, and then we'll go from there.”

— Chris Van Hollen, Senator

“The visit to Epstein's private island 'would raise questions.'”

— Roger Wicker, Senator

“It's something I'm concerned with.”

— Thom Tillis, Senator

“He would do himself a service by just laying exactly what and what did not happen over the course of what seems to be an interesting relationship that included business entanglements.”

— Thom Tillis, Senator

What’s next

Senators have requested documentation from Lutnick on his ties to Epstein, and lawmakers are grappling with what accountability looks like amid the revelations contained in the Epstein files.

The takeaway

Lutnick's acknowledgment of meetings with Epstein after 2008 has undermined his credibility and made him a political liability, leading to bipartisan calls for his resignation as Commerce Secretary. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of holding powerful individuals accountable for their associations with disgraced figures like Epstein.