WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed Tuesday that he once visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, reigniting political controversy and intensifying calls for his resignation from both Democrats and Republicans.
Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Lutnick said he had lunch with Epstein on the financier’s Caribbean island in 2012. Epstein was already a convicted sex offender at the time.
“I did have lunch with him,” Lutnick said. He explained that the stop occurred during a family vacation while traveling by boat. Lutnick said his wife, four children, their nannies, and another family were present during the visit.
The lunch lasted about an hour, he told senators. He insisted the encounter was brief and social, not business-related. The admission followed the release of new documents that contradict Lutnick’s earlier claims that he cut ties with Epstein years earlier. Those disclosures have placed the commerce secretary under growing political pressure.
The confirmation prompted swift reactions from lawmakers across party lines. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, said Lutnick should step down to spare the White House further controversy.
“Really, he should make life easier on the president and just resign,” Massie said during a CNN appearance. He pointed to political fallout in the United Kingdom, where ties to Epstein led to the downfall of high-profile figures.
Democrats echoed those calls. Rep. Robert Garcia of California said Lutnick must resign or be fired. Garcia also demanded answers about the extent of the secretary’s relationship with Epstein. Several other Democrats joined the chorus, including Reps. Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu, and Melanie Stansbury, along with Sen. Adam Schiff. They cited concerns about judgment, transparency, and credibility.
Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution-related charges in Florida, including soliciting a minor. The plea deal allowed him to avoid federal prosecution and served only 13 months in jail.
Despite that conviction, Epstein continued to associate with wealthy and powerful figures for years. His private island later became a symbol of alleged abuse and elite protection. Critics say Lutnick’s 2012 visit raises serious ethical concerns. Epstein had already served his sentence, and his crimes were widely known. Lutnick acknowledged Epstein’s past during his testimony. He did not dispute the timing of the visit.
Lutnick told senators that he “barely had anything to do” with Epstein. He said he first met Epstein after moving next door to him in New York. Over a span of 14 years, Lutnick said he met Epstein only a handful of times. He recalled three encounters in total, including the island lunch.
“I met him two other times that I can recall,” Lutnick said. “And never again.”
He previously claimed that he distanced himself from Epstein in 2005. However, recently released files show discussions about the 2012 island visit, undermining that timeline. Lutnick did not address whether he regrets the visit. He focused instead on limiting the scope of the relationship.
The controversy comes at a sensitive moment for the administration. Lutnick is a Wall Street billionaire and a longtime ally of President Donald Trump. Opponents argue the issue distracts from economic policy and trade priorities. Supporters say a single lunch does not prove wrongdoing. They stress that Lutnick has not been accused of any criminal activity.
