DOJ Release Shows Lutnick Planned 2012 Epstein Island Trip, Trump Declines to Review Files
Updated (3 articles)
Massive DOJ dump reveals three‑million‑page Epstein archive On January 30‑31 2026 the Justice Department posted roughly three million pages, 180 000 images and 2 000 videos, completing the mandate of the Epstein Files Transparency Act after missing the December 19 congressional deadline [2][3]. The release includes emails, videos and photos that map Epstein’s contacts with numerous public figures. Officials warned that redaction errors exposed some victim identities, prompting a call for further review [3].
Lutnick’s 2012 island invitation contradicts his 2025 denials Emails dated December 2012 show Jeffrey Epstein invited Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, his wife Allison and their children to lunch on Little Saint James, with Allison confirming arrival by yacht [2][3]. The correspondence also references a May 2011 drinks meeting, indicating an ongoing relationship. Lutnick’s October 2025 New York Post interview claimed he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, a statement now challenged by the newly disclosed documents [2].
Musk’s island queries appear alongside Lutnick’s plans The same DOJ cache contains Elon Musk’s December 13 2013 email asking about “the wildest party” on Epstein’s island, and a 2012‑13 message from Musk about possible visits [1][3]. Neither Musk nor Trump faces criminal accusations related to these communications. During a CNN interview, President Donald Trump said he has not read the files and urged focus on health‑care issues instead [1].
Official responses emphasize lack of wrongdoing The Commerce Department reiterated that Secretary Lutnick “had limited interactions with Mr Epstein… and has never been accused of wrongdoing” [2]. Lutnick personally denied any contact, stating he spent “zero time” with Epstein when questioned [1]. Lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Rep. Thomas Massie demanded full disclosure of the remaining documents [1].
Discrepancies and transparency concerns persist While the DOJ’s release provides unprecedented detail, it also revealed redaction mistakes that unintentionally disclosed victim names, prompting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to acknowledge “mistakes are inevitable” [3]. Critics argue that the selective release still withholds significant material, fueling ongoing calls for a complete, unredacted dump. The contrast between Lutnick’s public statements and the email evidence remains a focal point of political scrutiny.
Sources
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1.
Newsweek:Trump Dismisses Epstein File Mentions of Musk and Lutnick: Reports Trump’s refusal to read the DOJ files, his focus on other policy issues, and notes that both Musk and Trump face no charges while highlighting lawmakers’ push for full disclosure .
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2.
BBC:Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s Planned 2012 Visit to Epstein Island Revealed in DOJ Emails: Details Lutnick’s family‑planned island trip, the contradiction with his 2025 interview, and includes the Commerce Department’s statement that he faces no accusations .
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3.
Newsweek:Howard Lutnick’s 2012 Invitation to Jeffrey Epstein’s Island Revealed in New DOJ Files: Describes the invitation email, prior 2011 meeting, Lutnick’s public denouncement of Epstein, and notes DOJ redaction errors exposing victims .
Timeline
2002 – A released email shows Melania Trump (then Knauss) praising a New York Magazine story about Jeffrey Epstein in a message to Ghislaine Maxwell, indicating early high‑profile awareness of Epstein’s activities[3].
2005 – Howard Lutnick tours Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, sees a massage table and daily massages, and declares the encounter “disgusting,” prompting him and his wife to vow never to share a room with Epstein again[1].
2008 – Jeffrey Epstein is convicted in Florida for soliciting sex from a 14‑year‑old girl, establishing a criminal record that later intensifies scrutiny of any association with public officials[1].
May 2011 – Email records confirm Lutnick schedules drinks with Epstein, revealing a continued connection beyond the 2005 break[3].
Dec 2012 – Jeffrey Epstein invites Howard Lutnick and his family to Little Saint James for lunch; Lutnick’s wife Allison replies that they will arrive by yacht with their eight children, showing concrete plans for a visit despite later denials[3][1].
Dec 2012 – Epstein also contacts Elon Musk about possible island trips, discussing logistics for a 2012‑13 visit and prompting Musk’s later query about “the wildest party”[2].
Dec 13, 2013 – Musk emails Epstein asking for “a good time to visit” the Caribbean island, further linking the billionaire to Epstein’s social circle[3].
Aug 2019 – Epstein dies in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex‑trafficking charges, ending his criminal case but sparking ongoing investigations into his network[1].
Oct 2025 – In a New York Post interview, Lutnick claims he cut ties with Epstein in 2005 and calls the financier “gross” and a “blackmailer,” a statement later contradicted by 2012 emails[1].
Dec 19, 2025 – The Justice Department misses the congressional deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act for releasing the full archive, prompting criticism from lawmakers[3].
Jan 30, 2026 – The DOJ posts a third tranche of the Epstein archive—about three million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images—fulfilling part of its transparency obligations after the missed deadline[3].
Jan 31, 2026 – The DOJ releases a massive cache of Epstein‑related records, including three million pages, 180 000 images and 2 000 videos, the largest disclosure to date, and highlights Lutnick’s 2012 island invitation among the documents[1].
Feb 3, 2026 – President Donald Trump tells CNN he has not read the newly released DOJ files that name Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk, saying, “No. I have a lot of things I’m doing… I’m sure they’re fine,” and urges focus on other issues such as health care[2].
Feb 2026 – Representatives Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Thomas Massie publicly demand the DOJ release the remaining undisclosed portions of the Epstein files, intensifying pressure for full transparency[2].
External resources (6 links)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein (cited 6 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files (cited 3 times)
- https://x.com/SenSchumer (cited 3 times)
- https://x.com/DAGToddBlanche (cited 1 times)
- https://archive.ph/qwehO (cited 1 times)