EpsteinCase – Lutnick Confirms 2012 Lunch on Private Island
EpsteinCase – US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged during a Senate hearing that he and members of his family shared a meal with Jeffrey Epstein on the financier’s private island in 2012. His statement came as lawmakers questioned him about his past interactions with the convicted sex offender amid renewed public attention on the case.
Admission During Senate Hearing
Appearing before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday, Lutnick described the encounter as brief and incidental. He said the lunch occurred while he and his family were traveling by boat during a vacation and stopped at the island for about an hour.
According to Lutnick’s testimony, the meeting did not reflect an ongoing personal relationship. He told lawmakers that he had minimal contact with Epstein and maintained that he did not have significant dealings with him beyond that limited interaction.
Questions Over Past Associations
Lutnick’s comments have drawn attention because he had previously stated that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005. However, documents recently made public by the US Department of Justice indicate that communication between the two men continued in later years. Reports from local media outlets also suggest that business connections between them extended as late as 2014.
The release of these materials has prompted renewed scrutiny of public figures who had any association with Epstein. Lawmakers from both major political parties have called for greater clarity regarding Lutnick’s past dealings. Some Democrats, along with a small number of Republicans, have urged him to step down while questions remain unresolved.
Background on Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier with ties to influential figures in politics and business, pleaded guilty in 2008 to a state charge involving the solicitation of a minor for prostitution. The case drew widespread criticism at the time because of the leniency of the plea agreement.
In July 2019, Epstein was arrested again, this time on federal charges related to sex trafficking. He died by suicide in a New York jail on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial. His death fueled further controversy and multiple investigations into the circumstances surrounding his detention.
Massive Release of Federal Records
Earlier this year, the Justice Department began publishing a large collection of documents connected to investigations and prosecutions involving Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The disclosure followed the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2025.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department completed what he described as an unprecedented review process before making the materials public. According to Blanche, more than three million pages of documents were prepared for release. The records include thousands of videos and roughly 180,000 images.
At a press conference held at the Justice Department, Blanche stated that approximately 3.5 million pages in total were produced in compliance with the new transparency law. He emphasized that the review required coordination across multiple divisions, including the FBI and several US attorney’s offices.
Extensive Review Effort
Blanche noted that more than 500 lawyers and professional staff members participated in the document review. Teams reportedly met at least twice a day for nearly 75 days to ensure that the materials were processed in accordance with legal requirements.
The release of the files has reignited public debate over accountability and transparency in high-profile cases. While the documents provide new details about past investigations, they have also raised additional questions about the relationships Epstein maintained with prominent individuals.
For Lutnick, the renewed focus has placed his past interactions under political and public examination. As calls for clarification continue, lawmakers are expected to pursue further inquiries in the weeks ahead.