History of Howard Lutnick in Timeline

Howard William Lutnick is an American businessman and government official. He has been the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce since February 2025. The summary highlights his dual roles in business and government.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1989: Lutnicks began political donations

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

December 1994: Lutnick married Allison Lambert

In December 1994, Howard Lutnick married Allison Lambert, a senior associate at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker.

1998: Lutnick purchased Manhattan property

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

May 2001: Lutnick renovated Manhattan property

By May 2001, Howard Lutnick had extensively renovated the interior of a Manhattan property he purchased in 1998.

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 property in Bridgehampton, New York

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

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

In 2005 Howard Lutnick has swore 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.

2011: Lutnick and Epstein had drinks together

In 2011, Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein had drinks together on one occasion.

November 2012: Epstein aide reached out to Lutnick to arrange a meeting

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

December 2012: Lutnick and family visited Little Saint James

In December 2012, Howard Lutnick, along with his wife and children, visited Little Saint James and had lunch with Jeffrey Epstein.

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 his efforts to preserve the company after the attack.

November 2015: Epstein received an invitation from Lutnick to a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign

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.

2017: Lutnick and Epstein discussed plans about the construction of a building

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

May 2019: Lutnick hosted fundraiser for Donald Trump

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

2019: Lutnick borrowed over US$100 million from Bank of America

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

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.

2023: Lutnick borrowed over US$100 million from Bank of America

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

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

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick ceased being board member of the Horace Mann School, after serving in the board since July 2003.

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

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

September 2024: Lutnick was cancer-free

By September 2024, Howard Lutnick was cancer-free.

November 2024: Lutnick on Partnership for New York City's board 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 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 a record for the most expensive house in the city.

January 2025: Lutnick's financial disclosure revealed assets

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

January 29, 2025: Lutnick promoted tariffs and vowed action on China

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 trustee of Kennedy Center

In February 2025, Allison Lambert, Howard Lutnick's wife, was appointed a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after President Donald Trump appointed himself as the center's chairman.

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 18, 2025: Lutnick confirmed as secretary of commerce

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

March 2025: Lutnick defended tariffs and made controversial statements

In March 2025, Howard Lutnick defended Trump's tariffs, stating there was "no chance" of a recession and later saying the tariffs would be "worth it" even if they led to a recession. He also justified tariffs on Canada and encouraged Fox News viewers to purchase stock in Tesla, and made controversial remarks about Social Security recipients.

October 2025: Lutnick comments on Jeffrey Epstein

In an October 2025 interview, Howard Lutnick discussed being neighbors with Jeffrey Epstein, and recalled a 2005 incident that led him to vow to never be in the same room with Epstein again due to his "disgusting" behavior.

2025: Lutnick still owns his mansion

As of 2025, Howard Lutnick still owns his mansion.

2025: Lutnick funded White House demolition and ballroom plans

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

2025: Lutnick named one of Time's 100 most influential people

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

2025: Lutnick claims vaccines cause autism

In 2025, after meeting with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Howard 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.

January 2026: Epstein files show extensive contact between Lutnick and Epstein

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

February 10, 2026: Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee

On February 10, 2026, Howard Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, admitting to visiting Little Saint James in December 2012. The hearing led to bipartisan criticism and calls for his resignation.