President Donald Trump discovered himself blindsided but once more Thursday when a recent Epstein-related reveal surfaced in public view — the type he has spent months making an attempt to sidestep.
The second unfolded in actual time throughout a Roosevelt Room press convention, the place Trump was confronted with information involving one in every of his personal Cupboard officers.
The reckoning landed squarely on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who earlier this week acknowledged a bombshell: that he visited Epstein’s non-public island even after the disgraced financier was convicted of intercourse crimes.
When requested throughout a presser within the Roosevelt Room on Feb. 12 whether or not he was conscious of Lutnick’s go to, Trump instantly feigned ignorance.
“No, I wasn’t conscious of it.”
Then, virtually reflexively, he added a curious qualifier. “I really haven’t spoken to him about it … however from what I hear, he was there along with his spouse and youngsters.”
He shortly pivoted to distance himself fully. “I used to be by no means there — anyone will sometime say that I used to be by no means there.”
The disclosures come as former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump reprimanded her for advocating the discharge of the Epstein information as a result of his “mates would get damage.”
“The truth is the Trump administration shouldn’t be releasing the data,” Greene mentioned on the “Redacted” podcast, based on Uncooked Story. “And I bought yelled at by the president over this. That is why he referred to as me a traitor.”
Greene added, “I don’t assist the cover-up of all of these items,” then positioned accountability on Trump: “The person on the prime is Donald Trump. He’s the president. And he’s the one which was utterly towards releasing the information.”
Lutnick is now going through bipartisan calls to resign, even because the White Home seems decided to soak up the fallout relatively than lower him free.
“Oh, I believe knives are out [for Lutnick]. He’s despised by practically everybody,” mentioned one White Home insider, based on Politico. “I doubt Trump would simply push him out, although. The president doesn’t wanna legitimize the Epstein challenge an excessive amount of.”
Justice Division information launched late final month present Lutnick remained in touch with Epstein as lately as 2018, lengthy after Epstein pleaded responsible to intercourse crimes involving a minor. The disclosures instantly contradict Lutnick’s previous statements that he severed all ties with Epstein within the mid-2000s.
“Look, Howard Lutnick clearly went to the island if we consider what’s in these information,” Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, mentioned Sunday on CNN’s “Inside Politics.”
“He was in enterprise with Jeffrey Epstein. And this was a few years after Jeffrey Epstein was convicted. … So, he’s bought loads to reply for. However actually, he ought to make life simpler on the president, frankly, and simply resign,” Massie added.
These considerations had been echoed by Rep. Robert Garcia, the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee.
“It’s now clear that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been mendacity about his relationship with Epstein. He mentioned he had no interactions with Epstein after 2005, but we now know they had been in enterprise collectively. Lutnick should resign or be fired. And he should reply our questions,” Garcia wrote on X.
Late final 12 months, Greene, Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna superior a veto-proof invoice forcing the Justice Division to launch the complete Epstein information, a measure President Trump signed into legislation on Nov. 19 solely after it grew to become clear he couldn’t proceed to dam it, whilst his administration continues to painting him as essentially the most clear president in historical past.
Beforehand, Lutnick mentioned he couldn’t stand Epstein, and that he lower all ties after 2005.“So, I used to be by no means within the room with him socially, for enterprise and even philanthropy. If that man was there, I wasn’t going as a result of he’s gross,” Lutnick informed the New York Submit final 12 months. “That’s my story. A one and completely carried out,” he added.
However information present that was a bald-faced lie. Epstein scheduled drinks with Lutnick in 2011, and paperwork point out Lutnick and his household deliberate a visit to Epstein’s island in December 2012 — the identical month each males invested in the identical enterprise.
Testifying earlier than Congress on Tuesday, Lutnick was requested instantly by Sen. Chris Van Hollen whether or not he had visited the island, and solely then did he acknowledge the go to.
“I did have lunch with him, as I used to be on a ship going throughout on a household trip,” Lutnick responded. “My spouse was with me, as had been my 4 kids and nannies. I had one other couple; they had been there as nicely, with their kids. And we had lunch on the island. That’s true. For an hour. And we left with all of my kids, with my nannies, with my spouse.”
His about-face ignited rage on social media.
One critic wrote, “Howard Lutnick, present Commerce Secretary, lied blatantly in regards to the closeness of his connection to Epstein. He have to be fired instantly. Isn’t it odd simply what number of of Trump’s circle are being uncovered?! Nearly like criminals and predators are ‘thick as thieves.’ @howardlutnick we see you.”
“It made him so sick to his abdomen he had to return to… eat lunch,” another person famous.
One other put up steamed: “HE BROUGHT HIS KIDS TO EPSTEIN ISLAND YEARS AFTER EPSTEIN WAS LABELED A SEX OFFENDER?!!! Are you freaking kidding me?”
Others piled on: “GET HIM OUT. He introduced his personal fucking youngsters to the island.”
One other added: “Along with his youngsters!! I imply Epstein so disgusted him he introduced his kids over for lunch!! What a load of crap, they’re all mendacity!!!!”
Regardless of the backlash, the White Home defended Lutnick.
“President Trump has assembled one of the best and most transformative cupboard in fashionable historical past,” spokesman Kush Desai mentioned. “The whole Trump administration, together with Secretary Lutnick and the Division of Commerce, stays centered on delivering for the American individuals.”
When ABC Information requested Home Oversight Chairman James Comer whether or not Lutnick can be subpoenaed, Comer averted a direct reply.
“We’re going to attempt to get these 5 [subpoenas] nailed down,” Comer mentioned, referring to different high-profile figures. “We’ve bought a whole lot of essential individuals we’re making an attempt to usher in that to reply questions… So we’ll see what occurs…”
Democrats mentioned Comer’s deflections underscored a broader unwillingness by Republicans to carry anybody accountable.
“It’s actually essential for folk to grasp that to ensure that us to subpoena anyone, the bulk has to consent,” Rep. Melanie Stansbury mentioned. “After all, we want to converse to Secretary Lutnick, and I personally consider that Mr. Lutnick must step down instantly.”
