The ghost of Jeffrey Epstein has claimed another political confession. In a stunning reversal, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has shattered his previous denials, admitting to a 2012 family trip to the disgraced financier’s Caribbean enclave.

Testifying on Capitol Hill, Lutnick’s defense crumbled under the weight of evidence. "I did have lunch with him," he conceded, describing a scene that sounded more like a casual vacation stop than a meeting with a convicted sex offender. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-3)He claimed he was on a boat with his wife, children, and nannies when they stopped at the island for an hour. This admission directly contradicts his earlier assertions that he had cut all ties with Epstein in 2005.

The Timeline of Deceit

The revelation is damning. In 2012, Epstein was already a registered sex offender, a pariah to anyone with a moral compass. Yet, emails released by the Department of Justice show Lutnick’s wife enthusiastically arranging the visit: "We would love to join you for lunch." The juxtaposition of a "family vacation" with a visit to the epicenter of an international sex trafficking ring is jarring.

• The Political Fallout: Calls for Lutnick’s resignation are mounting. Lawmakers are questioning the judgment of a man who would bring his children into the orbit of a known predator.
• Trump’s Shield: Despite the firestorm, the White House has doubled down, stating Lutnick has President Trump’s "full support." It is a calculated gamble, betting that the public is too desensitized to care.

A stain on the Administration

Lutnick maintains he saw nothing untoward, but his credibility is in tatters. He lied to Congress about cutting ties, and the truth only surfaced because he was forced by subpoenaed documents. As he sits in the Commerce Department, the question remains: what else is he hiding?