WASHINGTON — U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers after newly disclosed details in the Jeffrey Epstein files revealed interactions with the convicted sex offender that contradict previous public statements about their relationship. The revelations, brought to light through Justice Department records released in recent weeks, have become a flashpoint in Washington politics and renewed debate over accountability for powerful figures connected to Epstein. 

Lutnick, a longtime financial executive and member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, acknowledged in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing that he met with Epstein twice after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution involving a minor — contradicting earlier claims that he severed ties with the financier decades earlier. 

Among the most striking revelations is Lutnick’s admission that he and his family took part in a 2012 lunch on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean. Lutnick described the encounter as a brief gathering during a family vacation, emphasizing that his wife, children, and nannies were present. He insisted the interaction did not indicate a broader relationship. 

Despite these assertions, Lutnick’s statements have raised questions about his candor and credibility. During questioning, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said the newly surfaced information “calls into question his fitness for the job,” noting that Lutnick’s earlier public remarks had suggested he had distanced himself from Epstein as far back as the mid-2000s. 

Lawmakers from both parties have criticized Lutnick’s handling of the matter. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna have both publicly urged that Lutnick should resign or otherwise be held accountable for what they describe as misleading characterizations of his relationship with Epstein. Massie pointed to emails uncovered in the Epstein files that suggest ongoing contact and potential business overlap between Lutnick and Epstein. 

Lutnick, for his part, has dismissed suggestions that his interactions with Epstein were more than a handful of brief encounters. He stated that over a 14-year period, he exchanged only about ten emails with Epstein and met him in person “three times, that I can recall,” describing the overall connection as minimal.   

The controversy is playing out against the backdrop of broader scrutiny of the Epstein files, an expansive trove of documents that federal officials were compelled to release under pressure from bipartisan lawmakers seeking transparency. These files have implicated numerous high-profile individuals and prompted fresh examination of how powerful figures maintained social and professional ties with Epstein and his network. 

While Lutnick has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, the episode has touched on broader themes of trust and accountability in public office. Some lawmakers and commentators argue that even the appearance of inconsistent statements about relationships with convicted criminals warrants serious consequences. Others defend Lutnick, emphasizing that he has denied any impropriety and that the interactions in question were limited and non-criminal in nature. 

The White House has so far stood by Lutnick, with administration officials describing him as a dedicated public servant focused on issues ranging from trade policy to economic growth. However, calls for further transparency — including the release of any additional correspondence or records related to Epstein — continue to grow from members of both parties seeking a fuller accounting of what the files reveal. 

Sources: Forbes, Time, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, AP News, Reuters