The House Oversight Committee Releases The Howard Lutnick Deposition Transcript (5/14/26)

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, where lawmakers pressed him over inconsistencies between his past public statements and newly released Epstein files. Lutnick claimed he only met Epstein three times over roughly fourteen years and described the encounters as “inconsequential,” insisting he cut ties after Epstein made what Lutnick described as a disturbing sexual remark during a 2005 visit to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse. According to Lutnick, Epstein referenced getting “the right kind of massage,” which immediately unsettled both him and his wife. However, committee investigators confronted him with records showing continued contact after that incident, including meetings, business dealings, and a 2012 lunch visit to Epstein’s private island with his family.

Lawmakers from both parties sharply criticized Lutnick’s testimony, with several Democrats accusing him of being evasive and repeatedly changing his story as more documents became public. The testimony revealed that Lutnick and Epstein were involved in the same advertising startup venture as late as 2014, despite Lutnick’s earlier claims that he severed ties years before. Questions also centered on why Lutnick visited Epstein’s island after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and why his previous public comments appeared to minimize the relationship. Lutnick maintained that he never witnessed misconduct, never saw underage girls around Epstein, and did not fully understand the extent of Epstein’s criminal behavior at the time. The hearing has intensified political pressure surrounding the broader Epstein investigation, with some lawmakers calling for Lutnick’s resignation while the White House continues to publicly support him.



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source:

Lutnick testified he knew little about Epstein, his next-door neighbor - CBS News