Trump’s commerce chief admits going to Epstein island, but plays down relationship
Howard Lutnick acknowledges a 2012 visit to the sex offender’s island that contradicts his previous claims of cutting ties in 2005
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick minimised his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Tuesday even as he acknowledged visiting the disgraced financier at his private island in 2012 after Epstein was a convicted sex offender - and years later than he previously said their relationship ended.
Lutnick, speaking to a Senate panel, described going to Epstein’s island after being asked in Tuesday’s hearing about US Justice Department documents showing he had planned a visit.
“I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation, my wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies,” Lutnick told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.
Lutnick added: “The only thing I saw with my wife and my children and the other couple and their children was staff who worked for Mr Epstein on that island”.
Lutnick was also questioned about Epstein seeking a copy of his nanny’s résumé and a meeting with her in 2013, a year after the trip to the island. Asked whether that nanny had been on the island visit, Lutnick responded he had “no idea about that whole thing”.