Jeffrey Epstein Investigations

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declined to answer Democratic lawmakers' questions about Jeffrey Epstein during a House Budget Committee hearing this week in Washington, D.C., prompting sharp exchanges and criticism.

Commerce Chief Howard Lutnick deflected questions about Jeffrey Epstein during a Senate budget hearing Tuesday in Washington as senators pressed for answers. Lawmakers raised the topic amid the department's annual budget review, but Lutnick did not provide a substantive response on the record. The brief exchange was not central to the hearing's fiscal questions, and senators proceeded to discuss program funding and priorities.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation confirmed an external review of its past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. CEO Mark Suzman commissioned the review in March with support from chair Bill Gates and independent board members. The review will examine past engagement with Epstein and the foundation's current vetting policies. The foundation says a small number of employees met with Epstein, that no foundation fund or payments were made, and that it regrets any interaction.