History of Howard Lutnick in Timeline

Howard William Lutnick is an American businessman and government official, serving as the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce since 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 14, 1961: Howard Lutnick Born

On July 14, 1961, Howard William Lutnick was born in Long Island, New York.

Others born on this day/year

February 1978: Death of Jane Lutnick

In February 1978, during Lutnick's junior year of high school, his mother Jane died of lymphoma.

1983: Graduation from Haverford College

In 1983, Howard Lutnick graduated from Haverford College with a degree in economics.

1983: Lutnick Hired by Cantor Fitzgerald

In 1983, Howard Lutnick was hired at Cantor Fitzgerald by B. Gerald Cantor, who was encouraged by Rod Fisher.

1989: Lutnicks started giving political donations

In 1989, according to a Bloomberg News and OpenSecrets analysis, the Lutnicks started giving political donations.

December 1990: Appointed Cantor's Successor

In December 1990, Lutnick was appointed as Cantor's successor in the event of his death.

1990: Cantor Begins Kidney Dialysis

In 1990, Cantor began undergoing kidney dialysis.

1990: Lutnick Becomes President and CEO

In 1990, Lutnick became the president and chief executive officer of Cantor Fitzgerald.

1991: Lutnick Becomes Chief Executive

In 1991, after a failed attempt to oust him, Lutnick became the chief executive and president of Cantor Fitzgerald.

December 1994: Lutnick married Allison Lambert

In December 1994, Howard Lutnick married Allison Lambert.

1994: Investments in European Brokering Business

Since 1994, Lutnick had spent at least US$43 million to establish a brokering business in Europe.

December 1995: Cantor Hospitalized

In December 1995, Cantor was hospitalized in New York, and Lutnick moved to implement a succession plan.

1995: Epstein's Manhattan home

From 1995, Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan home was next door to Howard Lutnick's mansion.

1995: Legal Battle with Iris Cantor

In 1995, after Cantor's declining health, Lutnick became involved in a contentious legal battle with Cantor's wife, Iris, over succession plans.

March 1996: Lutnick Files Lawsuit

In March 1996, Lutnick and CF Group Management filed a lawsuit in Delaware arguing that Cantor lacked sufficient mental capacity.

1996: Appointed Chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald

In 1996, following a settlement that gave Lutnick management control, he was appointed chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald after Cantor's death.

September 1998: Cantor Fitzgerald Begins Electronic Trading

In September 1998, Cantor Fitzgerald began electronic trading for futures contracts and developed eSpeed, an electronic trading platform.

1998: Lutnick purchased a Manhattan property

In 1998, Howard Lutnick purchased a Manhattan property at 11 East 71st Street, behind the Henry Clay Frick House, from the Comet Trust.

March 1999: eSpeed Released

In March 1999, the electronic trading platform eSpeed was released.

May 2001: Lutnick had his Manhattan property renovated

By May 2001, Howard Lutnick had extensively renovated the interior of his Manhattan property at 11 East 71st Street.

September 11, 2001: September 11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 employees in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, including Howard Lutnick's brother, Gary. Lutnick's handling of the aftermath drew both praise and criticism.

September 2001: eSpeed Creates Marketplaces

By September 2001, eSpeed had created four dozen marketplaces, including TradeSpark.

October 2001: Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Established

In October 2001, Howard Lutnick established the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, which began donating US$5,000 to families of victims with one or more children affected by the September 11 attacks.

February 2002: Firm to Divide Profits

In February 2002, Cantor Fitzgerald announced it would divide US$4.9 million in profit to survivors of the September 11 attacks.

September 2002: Cantor Fitzgerald Donates to Relief Fund

In September 2002, Cantor Fitzgerald donated US$4 million to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.

December 2002: Cantor Fitzgerald's Employee Count

By December 2002, Cantor Fitzgerald had 750 employees in New York.

July 2003: Lutnick became a board member of the Horace Mann School

From July 2003, Howard Lutnick served as a board member of the Horace Mann School.

2003: Lutnick purchased a property in Bridgehampton, New York

In 2003, Howard Lutnick purchased a 40-acre property in Bridgehampton, New York, for US$15 million.

August 2004: BGC Partners Established

In August 2004, Cantor Fitzgerald established a partnership, BGC Partners, for its voice brokerage business.

2005: Lutnick swore to never be in the same room with Epstein again

In 2005, Howard Lutnick swore that he would never be in the same room ever again with Jeffrey Epstein due to his "disgusting" behavior at a meeting with Epstein, Lutnick, and Lutnick's wife.

January 2006: Lutnick named to the board of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation

In January 2006, Howard Lutnick was named to the board of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation.

September 2006: Relief Fund Donations Reach US$180 Million

As of September 2006, the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund had donated US$180 million to families.

October 2007: Lutnick Appointed Chief Executive

In October 2007, Lutnick was appointed the chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald's fixed-income trading and sales business.

2008: Appears on The Celebrity Apprentice

In 2008, Howard Lutnick appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice, hosted by Donald Trump, in a charity auction.

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2011: Lutnick and Epstein had drinks together

In 2011, Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein had drinks together on another occasion according to Epstein's schedule.

November 2012: Epstein aide reached out to Lutnick

In November 2012, a longtime Jeffrey Epstein aide reached out to Howard Lutnick to arrange a meeting while Lutnick was in Saint Thomas.

December 2012: Lutnick visited Little Saint James

In December 2012, Howard Lutnick admitted that four years after Epstein's conviction, Lutnick and his wife and children visited Little Saint James where they had lunch with Epstein.

2013: Donations to Moore Tornado Victims

In 2013, Howard Lutnick gave debit cards of an equal amount to victims of the Moore tornado.

2013: Lutnick featured in documentary Out of the Clear Blue Sky

In 2013, Howard Lutnick was prominently featured in the documentary "Out of the Clear Blue Sky", which examines the destruction and rebuilding of Cantor Fitzgerald following the September 11 attacks. The film highlights Lutnick's efforts to preserve the company after the attack.

September 2014: Charity Day Raises US$101 Million

By September 2014, Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners' annual charity day on September 11 had raised US$101 million for non-profits.

October 2014: Largest Donation to Haverford College

As of October 2014, when Howard Lutnick gave the largest single donation to Haverford College, valued at US$25 million, he had donated US$65 million in total.

November 2015: Epstein received invitation from Lutnick to fundraiser

In November 2015, Jeffrey Epstein received an invitation from Howard Lutnick to a fundraiser at his financial firm for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

2016: Lutnick donated to Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris

In 2016, Howard Lutnick donated to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Senate candidate Kamala Harris, later attributing those donations to his wife.

2016: Fundraising for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Lutnick was a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.

January 2017: Anshu Jain Joins Cantor Fitzgerald

In January 2017, Anshu Jain, a former Deutsche Bank executive, joined Cantor Fitzgerald as its president.

2017: Lutnick and Epstein discussed construction plans

In 2017, Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein discussed plans about the construction of a building across the street from both of their homes.

2017: Donations to Hurricane Harvey Relief

In 2017, the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund donated to hurricane relief, including Hurricane Harvey.

September 2018: Lutnick's Net Worth

By September 2018, Lutnick was worth US$1.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

May 2019: Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump

In May 2019, Howard Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for U.S. President and presidential candidate Donald Trump that raised more than US$5 million.

2019: Lutnick borrowed from Bank of America

In 2019, Howard Lutnick borrowed more than US$100 million from Bank of America.

2020: Fundraiser for Donald Trump

In 2020, Lutnick was a fundraiser for Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

2020: Cantor Fitzgerald Invests in Cryptocurrency

Since 2020, Cantor Fitzgerald has invested in cryptocurrency, particularly Tether.

October 2021: Lutnick diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

In October 2021, Howard Lutnick disclosed that he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and began chemotherapy shortly thereafter.

2023: Lutnick borrowed from Bank of America

In 2023, Howard Lutnick borrowed more than US$100 million from Bank of America.

June 2024: Lutnick ceased being a board member of the Horace Mann School

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick ceased serving as a board member of the Horace Mann School.

June 2024: Lutnick co-hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in London

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick co-hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in London, organized by Duke Buchan.

July 2024: Lutnick Speaks at Bitcoin Conference

In July 2024, Lutnick and Donald Trump spoke at a Bitcoin conference, where Lutnick announced Cantor Fitzgerald would open a US$2 billion lending facility with Bitcoin as collateral.

August 2024: Named Co-Chair of Trump's Transition Team

In August 2024, Howard Lutnick was named co-chair of Donald Trump's presidential transition team.

September 2024: Lutnick was cancer-free

By September 2024, Howard Lutnick was cancer-free.

November 2024: Lutnick is a board member of the Partnership for New York City and Weill Cornell Medicine

As of November 2024, Howard Lutnick is a member of the Partnership for New York City's board and Weill Cornell Medicine.

November 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Commerce

In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce.

November 19, 2024: Trump selected Lutnick as his nominee for secretary of commerce

On November 19, 2024, Donald Trump selected Howard Lutnick as his nominee for secretary of commerce.

December 2024: Lutnick purchased Bret Baier's home in Washington, D.C.

In December 2024, Howard Lutnick purchased Bret Baier's home in Washington, D.C., for US$25 million, setting the record for the most expensive house in the city.

January 2025: Lutnick's financial disclosure form revealed his assets

Howard Lutnick's financial disclosure form, released in January 2025, revealed that he had at least US$806 million in assets and declared shares in GE Aerospace, GE Healthcare, The Walt Disney Company, Nasdaq, Inc., and the musical Kimberly Akimbo.

January 2025: Senate Committee Hearing

In January 2025, Howard Lutnick attended a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing.

January 29, 2025: Lutnick promoted tariffs before Senate committee

On January 29, 2025, Howard Lutnick appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he promoted tariffs and vowed greater action on China and its advances in artificial intelligence, particularly the release of DeepSeek R1.

February 2025: Lutnick's wife appointed a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

In February 2025, Allison Lambert, Howard Lutnick's wife, was appointed a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

February 2025: Lutnick involved in discussions to offer Intel facilities to TSMC

In February 2025, Howard Lutnick was reportedly involved in discussions to offer Intel's manufacturing facilities to TSMC.

February 2025: Sons Named to Leadership Positions

In February 2025, after being confirmed as the United States secretary of commerce, Lutnick named his sons as chairman and executive vice chairman.

February 18, 2025: Lutnick confirmed by the Senate

On February 18, 2025, Howard Lutnick was confirmed by the Senate in a 51–45 vote.

October 2025: Lutnick talked about Jeffrey Epstein encounter

In an October 2025 interview, Howard Lutnick said he was neighbors with Jeffrey Epstein but swore in 2005 that he would never be in the same room with him again due to Epstein's "disgusting" behavior at a meeting with Lutnick and his wife.

November 2025: New York Times Article on Lutnick

In November 2025, The New York Times wrote about the intersection between Lutnick's office and his family's financial interests.

2025: Lutnick still owns his Manhattan Mansion

As of 2025, Howard Lutnick still owns his Manhattan mansion.

2025: Appointed as 41st United States Secretary of Commerce

In 2025, Howard Lutnick was appointed as the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce.

2025: Lutnick named one of the world's most influential people by Time

In 2025, Howard Lutnick was named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time.

2025: Lutnick funded White House East Wing demolition

In 2025, Lutnick was one of the donors who funded the White House's East Wing demolition, and planned building of a ballroom.

2025: Lutnick on vaccines and The Heritage Foundation

In 2025, after meeting with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Lutnick claimed that he was convinced that vaccines cause autism, and that the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act had allowed vaccine manufacturers to be reckless in the production process. He also said that The Heritage Foundation was "radioactive".

January 2026: Newly released Epstein files showed contact with Lutnick

In January 2026, newly released Jeffrey Epstein files showed extensive contact between Howard Lutnick and Epstein over several years.

February 10, 2026: Lutnick testified before Senate Committee on Epstein relationship

On February 10, 2026, Howard Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to bipartisan criticism and calls for his resignation.

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