Lutnick 'wasn't 100% truthful' on Epstein ties as Commerce secretary faces congressional probe

WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration was rocked on Wednesday, May 6, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared behind closed doors to face congressional investigators regarding his extensive history with Jeffrey Epstein.

As the highest-ranking official prominently named in the Epstein files, second only to the president himself, Lutnick’s voluntary testimony represents an extremely rare and high-pressure moment for a sitting Cabinet member.

Despite the administration's repeated attempts to distance itself from the Epstein saga, the revelation of a decade of hidden correspondence has forced a formal inquiry into the secretary’s credibility.

Lutnick, who previously claimed he severed all ties with the financier in 2005, is now struggling to explain a paper trail that places him in Epstein’s orbit as late as 2018.

House Oversight Chair James Comer noted that the interview is intended to allow the American people to judge whether the secretary's credibility has been irreparably damaged by these discrepancies.

Chairman James Comer admits Howard Lutnick was not truthful

House Oversight Chair James Comer did not mince words before the hearing, telling reporters that Lutnick "wasn’t 100% truthful" regarding his presence on Epstein’s infamous Caribbean island. 

While Comer noted he had not yet seen explicit "wrongdoing" in the email correspondence, he emphasized that Lutnick had failed to be forthcoming about the true duration of their relationship. 

The Republican chairman expressed a clear intent to press the secretary on why his interactions spanned years beyond his initial 2005 cutoff claim, noting that very few high-level figures have admitted to being on the island.

The panel views Lutnick as a critical witness because he is one of the few officials to acknowledge visiting the site, even if he claims the visit was brief and familial.

Evidence contradicts previous public denials

The investigation centers on a stark divide between Lutnick’s public narrative and the reality found in the Epstein files.

In October 2025, Lutnick told the New York Post that he and his wife stopped speaking to Epstein in 2005 after a tour of his home included suggestive comments.

However, investigative records show a significantly more persistent connection: email correspondence in 2011, the 2012 island visit, joint business venture investments in 2013, and communication regarding neighborhood issues in 2018.

In a February Senate hearing, Lutnick attempted to downplay the 2012 lunch on the island as a random stop during a family boat trip, claiming he did not recall the motivation for the visit and insisting he "barely had anything to do" with the man.

Administration faces ongoing Epstein scrutiny

While the White House has maintained public confidence in the Commerce secretary despite calls for his resignation, the political fallout continues to grow.

The Republican-led panel has indicated that Lutnick’s appearance is only the beginning of a broader inquiry into the administration's handling of the files.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to be questioned later this month regarding her oversight of the Epstein file release, a process that has been mired in intense public controversy.

For now, Lutnick's testimony will be documented in a transcript but will not be videotaped, following a committee precedent for witnesses who appear voluntarily.