A recent Daily Mail/JL Partners poll reveals that nearly half of Americans believe Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick should resign over his connections to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, despite never being accused of any misconduct. The poll, conducted among registered voters, found that 49 percent think Lutnick must step down, a politically problematic finding for President Donald Trump, who has elevated Lutnick as a key figure in his economic team.
Political Divide on Resignation
Opinions on Lutnick's future are sharply divided along party lines. Two-thirds of Democrats (67 percent) want him to resign, while 46 percent of independents agree. Republicans are more forgiving, with only 30 percent calling for his resignation. However, even among GOP voters, support for Lutnick staying in office is tepid: just 40 percent say he should keep his job, while 31 percent are undecided. Overall, about a third of respondents are unsure about his fate.
Lutnick's Background and Epstein Ties
Lutnick, 64, is a billionaire former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm that lost 658 employees in the 9/11 attacks. He survived that day because he was taking his son to kindergarten. Once a Democratic donor, he later became a major Trump fundraiser and was named Commerce Secretary. Now, his relationship with Epstein, his former Manhattan neighbor, has come under scrutiny. Lutnick has said he cut ties with Epstein in 2005 after a disturbing visit to Epstein's home, but newly released Justice Department files show he visited Epstein's Caribbean island in 2012.
Closed-Door Testimony
Earlier this month, Lutnick voluntarily testified before the House Oversight Committee about his Epstein connections. He told lawmakers that a 2005 visit to Epstein's home ended abruptly when he saw a massage table and heard a comment about massages. He described the 2012 island visit as a family lunch that was "boring" and "meaningless." However, Democrats on the committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, have called for his resignation, accusing him of offering "implausible distinctions and semantic games." Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who lost his primary after pushing for Epstein file releases, has also urged Lutnick to resign.
Lutnick has repeatedly denied any meaningful personal or professional relationship with Epstein, stating, "I wouldn't go and put myself in a situation where I was unaccompanied with him because he's disgusting." Despite his denials, the poll indicates the issue has resonated with voters, many of whom remain uncertain about his explanations.
