Lutnick backs away from his Epstein ‘blackmail’ claim in interview with House committee

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has retracted his earlier claim that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein engaged in blackmail. In a recent interview with the House Oversight Committee, Lutnick stated he was merely "speculating" on a podcast last year and had no personal information to support the assertion. This interview followed the release of Epstein's case files. Lutnick, who was a neighbor of Epstein's, previously expressed discomfort after a 2005 visit to Epstein's home. He downplayed subsequent interactions with Epstein as "meaningless and inconsequential." Lutnick is the highest-ranking current administration official, besides President Trump, named in the Epstein case files.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated in a closed-door interview with the House Oversight and Reform Committee that he met Jeffrey Epstein only three times. These meetings, described as "meaningless and inconsequential," occurred in 2005, 2011, and 2012, involving coffee at Epstein's home, a discussion about scaffolding, and a lunch on Epstein's private island. Lutnick asserted he had no personal or professional relationship with Epstein and did not witness any illegal conduct. The interview followed the release of documents showing continued correspondence with Epstein after his 2008 conviction, contradicting a previous statement by Lutnick. Lutnick unequivocally condemned Epstein's actions and those involved in his illegal activities.