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Democrats Press Lutnick to Resign After Epstein Interview Transcript Released

The transcript’s release sharpened questions about his past statements.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick departs a closed interview with the House Oversight Committee, in the Rayburn House Office Building on May 6.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick arrives for a deposition as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
FILE - Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attends an event on health care affordability in the Oval Office at the White House, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick arrives for a deposition as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Overview

  • The House Oversight Committee released a closed‑door transcript Wednesday that shows Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick calling his three encounters with Jeffrey Epstein “meaningless and inconsequential” and denying any wrongdoing.
  • House Democrats demanded his resignation Thursday, accusing him of misleading the public about post‑2005 contact with Epstein.
  • Under questioning, Lutnick withdrew a prior podcast claim that Epstein blackmailed people, calling it speculation, and said he could not recall when he learned Epstein was a registered sex offender.
  • Justice Department files documented continued links, including a 2012 family lunch on Epstein’s island and overlapping investment in the advertising company AdFin, which Lutnick said he did not realize included Epstein despite a 2018 email exchange about the firm.
  • The White House signaled no change to his role, and the Oversight probe is proceeding with additional interviews later in May, including former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi.