Following Howard Lutnick’s account of his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, Senator Adam Schiff suggested Lutnick should appear before Congress. This call for testimony stems from the ongoing congressional investigation into Epstein’s activities. The senator’s statement was made during an interview with Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC. The date of the senator’s statement was October 3, 2025.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has publicly stated that India is among the countries the US aims to rectify within its trade agenda, urging them to adjust their trade practices for better access to the American market. He cited high US trade levies on Indian goods and stated that these nations must “react correctly” to the US by opening markets and ceasing actions deemed harmful. Lutnick has set specific conditions, including discontinuing purchases of Russian oil and withdrawing from BRICS, or face consequences. Trade negotiations between India and the US have resumed, but the US is looking for major changes in India’s trade and geopolitical approach.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that India’s trade practices with the U.S. are imbalanced, with India benefiting from U.S. markets while imposing tariffs on American goods, like corn. He highlighted the lack of reciprocal trade, citing the country’s large population that doesn’t purchase U.S. agricultural products. Lutnick emphasized President Trump’s stance on fair and reciprocal trade, warning that India must lower its tariffs to maintain a favorable business relationship with the U.S. He also noted the administration’s imposition of high tariffs on India, which the Indian government has deemed unfair.
President Trump announced letters would be sent to countries, warning of tariff reinstatement if trade deals aren’t finalized. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that tariffs would take effect on August 1st, while the president sets the rates. This announcement pushes back the original July 9th deadline, with tariffs potentially ranging from 10 to 70 percent, as previously announced. Trump also threatened additional tariffs on countries aligning with BRICS, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the trade war.
Despite Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s recent recommendation to buy Tesla stock, believing it to be undervalued, shares have fallen 10 percent to a new low of $214.80. This significant drop follows a 40 percent decline year-to-date, fueled by concerns about Tesla’s market competition and Elon Musk’s controversial actions. Lutnick’s public endorsement of the stock has raised ethical questions, particularly given his position and Musk’s ties to the administration. The situation has further intensified with criticism from Bill Ackman, who accused Lutnick of benefiting from economic downturn.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s on-air endorsement of Tesla stock on Fox News, urging viewers to buy due to its “unbelievably cheap” price, has raised significant ethical concerns. This action, along with other White House endorsements of the company, is seen as a departure from traditional government practices and potentially violates federal code prohibiting the use of office for private gain. Ethics experts cite this as an optics issue, questioning the appearance of favoritism towards a company experiencing financial difficulties. The administration’s actions contrast sharply with historical norms of government neutrality in promoting specific businesses.
Connolly’s call for an investigation into Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s public encouragement of Americans to buy Tesla stock stems from a growing concern about the blurring lines between government officials’ actions and private financial interests. The situation involves Lutnick’s appearance on Fox News, where he reportedly urged viewers to invest in Tesla, a company whose CEO, Elon Musk, has been engaged in controversial actions, including mass firings and significant organizational restructuring.
The timing of Lutnick’s comments, occurring amidst considerable negative publicity surrounding Tesla, raises immediate questions about the appropriateness of his actions. His endorsement, given his position as Commerce Secretary, potentially carries significant weight and could unduly influence investment decisions based on his official status rather than impartial market analysis.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Trump Fumbles Simple Tariff Question, Shows Lack of Understanding
During a press conference, President Trump appeared unaware that the deadline for tariff negotiations had been extended to August, stumbling when asked about the original July 9th deadline. While fielding questions, Trump stated that “tariffs are going to be the tariffs,” but Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick corrected him, clarifying that tariffs would go into effect on August 1st. This extension comes despite the White House’s initial promise of completing “90 deals in 90 days” by the July deadline. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the central bank would likely have lowered interest rates if Trump had not announced his tariff plan.
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