Howard Lutnick’s One-Year Performance Review: Endless Lies About Epstein and Donald Trump’s Disastrous Economy Arrow

Today marks one year since financier Howard Lutnick was confirmed as Secretary of Commerce, which has been defined by his lies about his deep connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his out-of-touch claims about Donald Trump's disastrous economy.

Before his first year is even over, both Republicans and Democrats have called for Lutnick's resignation, and even one of Trump's biggest supporters said they're "concerned with anyone who would hang out with a convicted pedophile."

In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:

"During his first year in the administration, Howard Lutnick has taken a page from Donald Trump's book and repeatedly lied to the American people. Lutnick lied about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein while helping the administration cover up the truth about Epstein's crimes, including their own ties to the convicted sex offender. All the while, Lutnick spent the year boasting about Trump's reckless trade war that has caused jobs to disappear and prices to climb for everyday Americans. Lutnick should resign."

Lutnick lied to Congress and the American people about the extent of his relationship with Epstein, recently claiming, "I did not have any relationship with [Epstein]. I barely had anything to do with him." However, the latest tranche of released Epstein files revealed that Lutnick traveled to Epstein's private island in 2012 - which Lutnick later testified to be true - years after he claimed he and his wife toured Epstein's home with him in 2005. Lutnick later said that after the 2005 visit, he and his wife vowed to "never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again."

Lutnick has been one of the biggest cheerleaders of Trump's disastrous economy, even as several White House officials have claimed that Lutnick lacks a basic understanding of trade negotiations and "doesn't understand the issues." Lutnick has repeatedly defended Trump's reckless trade war, which has hiked prices on everyday goods and hollowed out the job market. A recent report found that companies are once again planning to increase prices this year as a result of Trump's tariffs and increased health insurance costs.