Full Breakdown
White House Press Secretary Defends Commerce Secretary Amid Epstein Controversy
2/11/2026, 3:51:11 AM
Key Developments in the Lutnick-Epstein Connection
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed President Donald Trump's support for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick amidst growing scrutiny over Lutnick's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This statement followed Lutnick's admission during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing that he visited Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, in 2012, contradicting earlier claims that he had severed ties with Epstein in 2005.
During the press briefing, Leavitt emphasized Lutnick's importance to Trump's administration, stating, "Secretary Lutnick remains a very important member of President Trump’s team, and the president fully supports the secretary." She then shifted the focus of the briefing to highlight positive statistics from the administration, suggesting that reporters were neglecting significant achievements in favor of probing questions about Lutnick's past.
Background on Lutnick's Admissions
Lutnick's recent testimony revealed that he had lunch on Epstein's island while on a family vacation, a visit he described as brief and without any knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities. He stated, "I had lunch on the island... I don’t recall why we did it." This admission has raised questions about his previous assertions regarding his relationship with Epstein, particularly as documents released by the Justice Department indicated that Lutnick maintained contact with Epstein as late as 2018.
Official Statements & Responses
Leavitt defended Trump's past comments regarding Epstein, reiterating that the president had consistently described Epstein as "a creep" and had expelled him from his Mar-a-Lago resort. She noted that Trump had allegedly contacted a Palm Beach police chief in 2006 to express concerns about Epstein's activities, although she did not confirm the details of that conversation. "The president has always remained consistent," Leavitt stated, emphasizing Trump's purported transparency regarding his relationship with Epstein.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the administration's defense, calls for Lutnick's resignation have emerged from both sides of the political aisle. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) have been vocal in their demands for Lutnick to be held accountable, with Khanna asserting, "Lutnick... visited Epstein Island, and Howard Lutnick did this knowing how evil Epstein was." House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) countered these calls, asserting that Lutnick has performed admirably in his role and should not resign.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The controversy surrounding Lutnick's connections to Epstein has been compounded by conflicting reports regarding the nature and extent of their relationship. While Lutnick has claimed minimal interaction with Epstein, documents suggest a more complex history, including business dealings that continued after Epstein's 2008 conviction. The release of additional Epstein-related documents has intensified scrutiny on several high-profile figures, including Trump and Lutnick.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Secretary Lutnick remains a very important member of President Trump’s team, and the president fully supports the secretary.” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
- “I don’t recall why we did it,” — Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary
- “He went into business with Jeffrey Epstein, he visited Epstein Island, and Howard Lutnick did this knowing how evil Epstein was,” — Ro Khanna, Representative (D-CA)
The ongoing scrutiny of Howard Lutnick's ties to Jeffrey Epstein continues to pose challenges for the Trump administration, as bipartisan calls for accountability grow louder amidst the backdrop of newly released documents.
