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Commerce Secretary Lutnick pressed over Epstein ties and 'Gold Card' visa

newsApr 24, 2026149

Rep. Madeleine Dean pressed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday for lying about a close personal and business relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein. Dean confronted Lutnick in a House hearing and directly asked, "Why did you lie," demanding clarity on his past ties to Epstein. Lutnick also said the administration's "Gold Card" visa, which grants U.S. residency to foreigners WHO invest at least $1 million, has produced only one approval so far. The exchange matters because it undermines Lutnick's credibility while drawing attention to a high-profile immigration-for-investment program with minimal uptake.

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