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Trump Official Lutnick Testifies On Epstein Island Lunch
Private testimony on May 6, 2026, showed Lutnick could not recall why he and his family had lunch on Epstein's private island. A January 2026 Justice Department file release disclosed emails showing Lutnick's past interactions with Epstein, including a 2012 island lunch and a 2015 fundraiser invitation.
Why It Matters
The testimony and the DOJ documents raise questions about Lutnick's ties to Epstein and his statements to Congress, amid ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's network and fundraising activities.
Timeline
9 Events
May 6, 2026 private testimony before Congress
May 6, 2026
In private testimony before a congressional committee, Lutnick said he couldn't recall why he and his family had lunch on Epstein's private island. Representative James Comer said Lutnick was transparent in his voluntary testimony and had corrected a misstatement.
February 10, 2026 congressional hearing
February 10, 2026
Lutnick testified at a congressional hearing that he and Epstein had only exchanged about 10 emails and met three times over 14 years; his family had lunch with Epstein on the island because they were on a boat nearby.
DOJ files released in January 2026
January 2026
A massive batch of Justice Department files released in January 2026 included emails showing Lutnick had visited Epstein's private island for lunch in 2012 and inviting Epstein to a November 2015 fundraiser.
Epstein death ruled a suicide in 2019
2019
Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019; his death was ruled a suicide.
Epstein arrested on federal charges in 2019
2019
Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors.
Lutnick invited Epstein to Hillary Clinton fundraiser (November 2015)
November 2015
Emails showed Lutnick invited Epstein to a November 2015 fundraiser at Cantor Fitzgerald for Hillary Clinton.
Lutnick and Epstein lunch on Epstein's private island (two hours) in 2012
2012
Emails indicate Lutnick and Epstein had lunch on Epstein's private island for two hours in 2012.
Epstein pleads guilty to state prostitution charges in 2008
2008
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl, and was sentenced to 13 months in jail.
Lutnick invited Epstein to his townhome in 2005
2005
Lutnick and his wife were invited by Epstein in 2005 to tour Epstein's townhome, where Epstein made a sexually suggestive comment about a massage table.