Точка Синхронізації

Howard Lutnick, the United States Commerce Secretary nominee and head of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald, confirmed during an interview on Thursday that he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little St. James, for lunch in 2012. This admission, made amidst his Senate confirmation process in Washington D.C., was intended to preemptively address potential scrutiny regarding his historical relationship with the disgraced financier. Lutnick's disclosure serves as a significant correction to his previous public assertions where he maintained that he had effectively severed all professional and personal ties with Epstein as early as 2005. The revelation has sparked immediate concern among lawmakers and the public, as it places Lutnick on the infamous island seven years after he claimed to have distance from Epstein. According to Lutnick, the 2012 visit was a singular event conducted via a stopover on a private plane, where he claims he was merely a guest for a midday meal. He emphasized that the encounter was social in nature and unrelated to the illicit activities that were later exposed following Epstein's multiple arrests and eventual death. However, critics argue that the timeline discrepancy raises questions about the transparency of the incoming administration's cabinet selections. This development comes at a sensitive time for the Trump transition team, which is currently navigating a series of high-profile vetting challenges for its top-tier nominees. While Lutnick has long been a prominent figure in New York financial circles and a major fundraiser for the Republican Party, his connection to Epstein—even if described as peripheral—invites intense media focus. The Commerce Secretary nominee continues to defend his record, asserting that his business success and institutional leadership at Cantor Fitzgerald remain the primary qualifications for his role in overseeing the nation's economic and trade policies.