Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the House Oversight Committee on May 6, 2026, as part of its ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network.
Lutnick’s closed-door interview is among several high-profile testimonies the committee has conducted, reviewing over 3 million pages of documents known as the Epstein files. These records revealed Lutnick’s business ties with Epstein and a 2012 family visit to Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
Lutnick’s Relationship with Epstein
According to the Epstein files, Lutnick and Epstein were partners in an advertising company called Adfin, which both invested in and that has since become defunct. Their association extended beyond business, as Lutnick, his wife Allison, and their children visited Little St. James island—Epstein’s private property—in 2012. An undated photograph from the files shows Lutnick and Epstein among a group of men on the island.
Before these revelations, Lutnick had stated he severed contact with Epstein in 2005, three years prior to Epstein’s guilty plea to state prostitution charges in Florida. However, the files show the two men lived next door to each other in New York City for years and corresponded via email as late as 2018 regarding Adfin and a nearby museum project.
Committee Inquiry and Lutnick’s Response
House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) commented that Lutnick was not fully truthful about his island visit. Comer highlighted the rarity of a sitting Cabinet secretary voluntarily appearing before the committee, stating, “I haven’t seen wrongdoing in the email correspondence. But he wasn’t 100% truthful with whether or not he had been on the island.”
During prior Senate testimony in February 2026, Lutnick admitted to visiting Epstein’s island for about an hour with his family and staff, describing it as a family vacation with no inappropriate events. He emphasized that the lunch took place with all family members present.
The Commerce Department spokesperson said Lutnick “looks forward to putting to rest the inaccurate and baseless claims in the media” and addressing any questions on the record before the committee.
Why it matters
Lutnick’s testimony follows increased scrutiny of Epstein’s associates amid efforts to fully understand the scope of his network and activities. High-ranking government officials voluntarily cooperating with congressional investigations is notable, particularly given the sensitive nature of Epstein-related allegations. The ongoing probe may clarify connections that have implications for public trust and accountability.
Background
The House Oversight Committee has been investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s activities and associates through extensive document review and testimony. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The committee has summoned many prominent figures linked to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is scheduled to testify later this month. The investigation aims to uncover misconduct and clarify who may have been involved with or aware of Epstein’s illicit operations.
Sources
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