Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein

I have not written much about sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his infamous files, but it is probably worth discussing the apparent involvement with Epstein of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that has come to light as a result of recent Epstein document release. Lutnick was asked about his involvement with Epstein during a Congressional hearing yesterday. As would be expected, Lutnick downplayed his relationship. However, Lutnick has lied about his connections to Epstein in the past, and he left a number of unanswered questions yesterday. In an ordinary administration, Lutnick would be tendering his resignation. But the rules are different in the administration of cult leader, convicted felon, and failed President Donald Trump. First of all, Trump resents any external pressure aimed at forcing him to take action. Democratic, or even Republican, demands that Lutnick be fired would likely be resisted by Trump. As long as Lutnick doesn't offend Trump, he will probably have Trump's support. Second, Trump himself is involved with Epstein. Far more so than Lutnick. Therefore, Trump can hardly take a stand that connections to Epstein are unacceptable in his administration. On the other hand, if Lutnick continues to get attention due to his relationship with Epstein, some of that attention will spill over on Trump and keep the topic of Trump and Epstein alive.

The recent release of additional Epstein files by the Department of Justice led to the identification of many individuals who were connected to Epstein in various ways. In Europe, this has had a huge impact. Even before the recent document release, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — previously known as Prince Andrew — was forced to give up his royal title, honors, and mansion. Further fallout resulted in the removal of the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson. Mandelson has been a major figure in the Labour Party and a top advisor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Not only has Mandelson lost his job, but he now faces a criminal investigation over indications that he passed sensitive government information to Epstein. The scandal has even threatened Starmer's position as Prime Minister.

Elsewhere in Europe, officials have resigned over revelations of their interactions with Epstein. Joanna Rubinstein, a Swedish U.N. official, and Miroslav Lajcak, national security adviser to Slovakia's prime minister, have both quit after their connections to Epstein were revealed. The former Prime Minister of Norway, Thorbjørn Jagland, is under investigation for corruption. Terje Rød-Larsen, Norway's ambassador to Jordan, was suspended from her position. Even Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her husband, Prince Haakon, were caught up in the Epstein scandal and have been forced to apologize.

In the United States, the fallout has been more muted. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has left many of the positions that he previously held, including his appointment at Harvard University. Brad Karp resigned as chairman of the law firm Paul Weiss. But high-profile figures with extensive connections to Epstein, such as Steve Bannon or even Trump, have suffered little in the way of repercussions. Which brings us to Howard Lutnick.

Lutnick moved next door to Epstein's infamous New York City townhouse in 2005. Last October, Lutnick described in dramatic detail being invited by Epstein to tour the home. According to Lutnick, Epstein had a massage table in a room off of the dining room. Lutnick said that he and his wife quickly excused themselves and "I decided that I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again." Lutnick also stated that "I was never in the room with [Epstein] socially, for business, or even philanthropy...he's gross." Regardless of what Lutnick may have decided on that particular day, and in contradiction to his claim of no further meetings, he would later be in the room with Epstein. More than once, in fact. 

Epstein was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida in July 2006. In June 2008, he pled guilty to felonies for solicitation of prostitution and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution. Therefore, Lutnick might be forgiven for not knowing about Epstein's sex offenses in 2005, though, by his own admission, Lutnick identified Epstein as a "disgusting person." The issue is that Lutnick's relationship with Epstein didn't end at that time. Moreover, regardless of Lutnick's view of Epstein, Epstein's view of Lutnick was favorable. In 2013, Epstein was asked in an email that has since been released what his opinion of Lutnick was. Epstein replied, "My neighbor smart".

Yesterday, while testifying on Capitol Hill, Lutnick was questioned by multiple senators about his contacts with Epstein. At one point, Lutnick stated that:

To the best of my memory, I met [Epstein] when he moved next door to me and I met him 2 other times. Under no circumstances is there a single word that I've done anything remotely wrong in any possible regard. I did not have anything you could call a relationship...That's all I can remember.

Lutnick is at best being misleading. According to the newly released Epstein files, Lutnick, his wife, and four kids, and another couple and their four kids all visited Epstein's island in December 2012. Among the children were two 16-year-olds, two 14-year-olds, a 13-year-old, and a 12-year-old. Imagine bringing children of these ages to the home of a convicted child sex offender? When questioned about this visit yesterday, Lutnick responded oddly, but perhaps reassuringly, by concluding that "We left with all of my children." It is certainly good that he didn't leave any of the children behind. Lutnick also had two nannies who accompanied his family to Epstein's island. While Lutnick also assured the Senate committee that the nannies also left with him, it appears that nearly a year later he provided the resume of one of the nannies to Epstein. An email with the nanny's resume attached was sent to Epstein with a note saying that a meeting was being arranged for Epstein to meet her.

Moreover, four days after the meeting on Epstein's island, Epstein and Lutnick became partners in a business venture. They both invested in a company called Adfin. They both remained investors until at least 2014.

Lutnick and Epstein also apparently met even earlier than the island get-together. According to other emails, they met for drinks at Epstein's house in May 2011. Lutnick apparently left his telephone at Epstein's house.

In addition, Lutnick and Epstein remained in touch well after the island meeting. In 2015, Lutnick emailed Epstein to invite him to "a very intimate fundraising event with Hillary Clinton". Epstein would later donate $50,000 to a 2017 dinner that honored Lutnick. In 2018, Lutnick contacted Epstein to enlist his support in opposing the expansion of a museum that would block their views of the park.

There is no indication that Lutnick was involved in any of Epstein's illicit activities or violated any law. The issue, however, is that Lutnick did not consider Epstein's illegal behavior, including trafficking underage girls for sex, to be disqualifying. Even after Epstein had been arrested and jailed for sex with minors, Lutnick was happy to socialize with him, even bringing his teen children to Epstein's island. Astonishingly, knowing what was known then about Epstein and young women, Lutnick apparently tried to connect his nanny to Epstein. Then, when asked to explain his relationship prior to the November election, Lutnick lied about it. Lutnick's admissions now are limited to what can be proven. If additional information comes out showing an even more extensive relationship, we can assume that Lutnick's memory will also improve further. But at this point, it is impossible to know what Lutnick might be hiding.