Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is facing renewed scrutiny and growing calls for resignation following questions about his past connections to convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick appeared before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, Feb. 10, where Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen pressed him on the nature of his relationship with Epstein. The exchange comes amid the release of additional Epstein-related documents in which Lutnick’s name appears multiple times.
Seeking to clarify his position, Lutnick stated that his interactions with Epstein were minimal.
“I’m glad to be here to make it clear,” Lutnick said. “I met Jeffrey Epstein when I moved to a house next door to him in New York. Over the next 14 years, I met him two other times that I can recall.”
He added that any documented communication between them was limited.
“There may be roughly 10 emails connecting me with him over a 14-year period,” Lutnick continued. “I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person.”
Lutnick’s testimony has drawn attention because of previous public remarks describing a deliberate effort to avoid Epstein. In an October 2025 podcast interview, Lutnick recounted an early visit to Epstein’s home that left him and his wife uncomfortable.
“My wife and I decided that I will never be in the room with that person ever again,” he said at the time, describing Epstein as someone he avoided socially, professionally, and philanthropically.
However, emails included in the Epstein files suggest Lutnick may have had contact with Epstein after that period, including correspondence dated years later.
Van Hollen specifically questioned Lutnick about a visit to Little Saint James, Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lutnick acknowledged traveling there during a family vacation.
“I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation,” Lutnick said. “I had another couple with their children. We had lunch on the island for about an hour, and then we left together with my wife, children, and nannies.”
He emphasized that the visit was brief and uneventful.
“We were on a family vacation. We were not apart,” Lutnick said. “I don’t recall the circumstances, but there was nothing inappropriate.”
Little Saint James has frequently been cited in investigations and reporting related to Epstein’s financial activities and alleged criminal conduct. Lutnick testified that he observed nothing unusual during his time on the island.
“The only people I saw were staff who worked for Mr. Epstein on that island,” he said.
Among the documents released were emails referencing Lutnick’s household staff, including one from Epstein’s attorney concerning a nanny.
The revelations have fueled criticism from both political opponents and some members of Lutnick’s own party. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie publicly questioned the secretary’s judgment during a televised interview.
“Howard Lutnick clearly went to the island if we believe what’s in these files,” Massie said. “This was years after Jeffrey Epstein was convicted. He has a lot to answer for.”
Massie added that resignation might be the best course.
“He should make life easier on the president and just resign,” he said.
Lutnick has not indicated any intention to step down and continues to maintain that his interactions with Epstein were limited and appropriate.
