Commerce Chief Lutnick Gave $5 Million To GOP Super PAC Before Epstein Testimony
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick donated $5 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund on April 1, 2026, weeks before he gave closed-door House Oversight testimony about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.[1]
The donation was Lutnick's first reported political contribution since he became commerce secretary in President Trump's second term.[1] A Commerce Department spokesperson said he gave in a personal capacity, and Democrats said his transcribed testimony before the House Oversight Committee on May 6 was evasive.[1]
On April 1, 2026, Lutnick made the $5 million contribution to the Congressional Leadership Fund, the House GOP super PAC that supports Republican House candidates.[1] He then sat for closed-door, transcribed testimony on May 6 answering questions about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.[1]
The timing of the gift, coming weeks before his testimony, has intensified scrutiny of Lutnick's political and financial ties as lawmakers and watchdogs consider whether further inquiries or disclosures are warranted.
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📌 Key Facts
- On April 1, 2026, Howard Lutnick donated $5 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, a House GOP super PAC.
- Lutnick sat for closed-door, transcribed testimony before the House Oversight Committee on May 6, 2026, about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
- The donation is Lutnick’s first reported political contribution since becoming commerce secretary in President Trump’s second term.
- A Commerce Department spokesperson said he gave in a personal capacity, while Democrats called his Epstein-related testimony evasive.
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