By Trendsetter Tribune 
The political survival of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reached a critical flashpoint on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, following explosive testimony before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee. While Lutnick admitted to visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, his shifting narrative regarding the timeline of their relationship has ignited a bipartisan firestorm that some insiders say could finally send him “for the exits.”+1
The Admission: “Family Vacation” on Little St. James
During Tuesday’s hearing, Lutnick confirmed for the first time that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on the financier’s notorious Caribbean island, Little St. James, four years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.
- The Details: “I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation,” Lutnick testified. He stated his wife, four children, and nannies were present, and they stayed for only one hour.
- The Contradiction: For years, Lutnick had publicly maintained he severed all ties with Epstein in 2005 after an “unsettling” encounter at Epstein’s New York home.
- The Paper Trail: Documents unsealed by the DOJ in late January 2026 showed continued contact and potential business dealings as late as 2014, and even logistics discussions through 2018.
A Republican Rebellion
While the White House has publicly signaled support, Semafor reports that the mood behind the scenes on Capitol Hill has turned toxic. One anonymous Republican senator called Lutnick’s testimony “despicable,” telling the outlet:
“He looked at the American people and lied like a dog. And I suspect more is going to come out… [He] would likely be fired if it were anybody but President Trump in the White House.” — Unnamed GOP Senator
The sentiment highlights a growing fear among establishment Republicans that the administration’s defensive posture regarding the “Epstein Files” will lead to a “bloodbath” in the 2026 midterm elections.
| Official | Position/Reaction |
| Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) | Co-author of the transparency bill; called for Lutnick to “resign immediately” over the weekend. |
| Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) | First member of the Senate Commerce Committee to demand his resignation, citing a “total misrepresentation” of his past. |
| Karoline Leavitt | White House Press Secretary; stated Trump “fully supports” Lutnick and considers him an “important member” of the team. |
| Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) | Defended Lutnick, calling the calls for resignation “absurd” and a “political game.” |
The “Oval Office” Factor
Despite the “desperately bad” optics, a senior White House advisor told Semafor that President Trump has not brought up the Epstein ties in recent meetings with Lutnick, focusing instead on Canada trade disputes.
However, sources “close to the White House” warn that the “red line” for the administration is usually when a Cabinet member becomes a permanent “headline headache.” With Senators Adam Schiff and Chris Van Hollen promising a continuous stream of subpoenas for any remaining undisclosed Epstein communications, the pressure on Lutnick is expected to intensify throughout February.