Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified behind closed doors on Wednesday about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein , making him the first Trump cabinet official to face questions as part of the House Oversight Committee investigation into the late financier. Lutnick agreed to the voluntary transcribed interview after months of criticism over his relationship with Epstein -- who was once Lutnick's neighbor -- and past statements distancing himself from the notorious sex offender. During an interview last year with The New York Post, Lutnick described Epstein as "gross" and claimed that he said in 2005 he would "never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again" after touring Epstein's New York City mansion. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick delivers his budget estimates to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies budget hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 23, 2026.…