Howard Lutnick, an economic adviser to Donald Trump, faces backlash after being seen in the Jeffrey Epstein files

Pressure is mounting on Howard Lutnick, a top economic adviser to Donald Trump, after new photographs reportedly obtained from Department of Justice files surfaced showing him in the presence of Jeffrey Epstein.

The images allegedly show Lutnick standing alongside Epstein and three other identified men on a tropical island.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has been leading efforts to release Epstein-related files, questioned why the image was reportedly removed from the DOJ’s website. Writing on X, Massie said in response to the image: “I’m sure there’s a good reason for this. DOJ needs to tell Congress who pulled this file down so we can ask them”

The renewed pressure follows Lutnick’s past statements downplaying his association with Epstein. In an October interview with the New York Post, he claimed he interacted with Epstein only once, saying the disgraced financier “grossed” him out.

‘I was never in the room with him socially, for business, or even philanthropy,’ he added. ‘If that guy was there, I wasn’t going ’cause he’s gross. So I look back at it as a gift. He gave me a gift.’

However, in January, newly released Epstein files reportedly showed that Lutnick visited Epstein’s Little St. James island years after he claimed to have cut ties. Earlier this month, he acknowledged during congressional testimony that he had visited the island with his family.

‘I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person, OK?’ Lutnick told a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on February 10.

Following testimony by Hillary Clinton before the House Oversight Committee on Friday, lawmakers from both parties are now demanding that Lutnick face renewed questioning regarding his relationship with Epstein.

Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told reporters in New York that the committee has not ruled out issuing a subpoena compelling Lutnick to testify.

‘That’s very possible,’ said the Kentucky Republican lawmaker. ‘I think it’s a good possibility that his name will arise in some questioning today.’

Meanwhile, Representative Nancy Mace, a vocal Trump ally, said she intended to question Clinton about Lutnick.

Comer emphasized that the Oversight Committee’s investigation is bipartisan, stating that both Republicans and Democrats will be questioned over any connections to Epstein.