The Epstein files: Why does Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick still have a job?

The Epstein files: Why does Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick still have a job?

I have tried to avoid the whole sordid Epstein mess. It looks like the mainstream media, including the Wall Street Journal, takes every opportunity to link Donald Trump to Epstein and yet there is no vocal movement to have Trump resign. Things are different on the other side of the pond. Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer is “fighting for his job.” Why? Was he linked to Epstein like Donald Trump? No. It is because one of his ambassador appointments, Peter Mandelson has ties to Epstein. Mind you, Starmer has never met Epstein or been in any way associated with him. Yet Starmer is being pressured to resign. A member of his own Labour Party has said “the leadership on Downing Street has to change.” Starmer’s chief of staff and his communications director have quit but Starmer insists he will not step down. Starmer says he was a victim of Mandelson’s lies regarding his relationship with Epstein and would document it in releasing the files surrounding Mandelson’s appointment. However, the real bombshell is that Mandelson is being investigated over documents suggesting that he passed sensitive government information to Epstein a decade and a half ago. The offense carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Zowie! A person implicated in the Epstein sex scandal being investigated for passing sensitive documents to him? Of course there are all those rumors about Epstein being a foreign agent and likely blackmailing all these important figures through the use of his services for sexual favors. There is now an FBI document released as part of the dump of the Epstein files dated October 16, 2020 that says that Epstein was indeed a Mossad agent “trained as a spy” under Israeli former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. There are so many questions tied to the emergence of Epstein from relative obscurity to business and social prominence that heretofore have gone unanswered. One wonders if the full story will ever be allowed to come to light.

Regardless, isn’t it interesting that Britain’s Starmer is close to being ousted over having just appointed a figure tied to Epstein rather than being associated with Epstein himself? Meanwhile, Donald Trump is not yet under such pressure even though he had an association with Epstein. In parallel, one of Trump’s appointees, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is directly linked to Epstein. Lutnick has actually lied about his relationship with Epstein. Lutnick and Epstein were next door neighbors and Lutnick denied having anything to do with him after a visit to his home in 2025. Lutnick had said that “My wife and I decided that I will never be in the room with the disgusting person ever again.” However, Lutnick lied. in a recent hearing Lutnick told the Senate Appropriations Committee that he did in fact visit Epstein’s controversial island in 2012. Lutnick said “My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple. They were there as well with their children, and we had lunch on the island.” Oops!

Lutnick had previously said “I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person. OK?” However, on that trip to Epstein’s island, Lutnick sent Epstein an email dated Dec. 19, 2012 saying “Hi Jeff, We are landing in St. Thomas early Saturday afternoon and planning to head over to St. Anguilla on Monday at some point. Where are you located (what is exact location for my captain)? Does Sunday evening for dinner sound good?” Also, In 2017, Epstein contributed $50,000 to a dinner honoring Lutnick and another investor, which was put on by Jewish philanthropic organization UJA-Federation of New York. Epstein was offered a table and 10 seats to attend the event but declined. 

Lutnick is obviously lying about his relationship with Epstein. The last time I looked, Lutnick was still on the job. He had not resigned. Trump had not fired him and Karoline (Lying) Leavitt said “Secretary Lutnick remains a very important member of President Trump’s team, and the president fully supports the secretary.” 

In a very testy House Judiciary Committee hearing, attorney general Pam (Blondie) Bondi was questioned about the relationship between Trump senior officials and Epstein. Bondi was asked if the “Justice” Department planned to investigate Lutnick. Bondi responded that Lutnick “had addressed this himself.” So I guess the answer is “no.” While several democrats were sharply critical of Bondi and her handling of the Epstein files, only one republican sparred with her – Thomas Messie of Kentucky – whom Bondi called “a failed politician.” Bondi also insulted several democrats and had to be chided by Jim Jordan, the republican chairman of the committee to stop shouting over her questioners. Bondi has obviously adopted Trump’s tactic of attacking her inquisitors and insulting them. She even demanded that the democrats on the committee apologize to President Trump.

If this were Britain, Lutnick and Trump along with Bondi and Leavitt would be ousted. It will be interesting to see what happens next.