MOTHER JONES DAILY: New Details From Epstein Files Reveal Lutnick Had Years-Long Business Tie With Sex Offender, 10 Worst Crises You Won’t See in Headlines (But Should), What was Bill Pulte’s charity really funding with this mystery donation?, Supreme Court agrees to hear fossil fuel firms’ bid for climate immunity, US Ambassador to Israel: “It would be fine” if Israel took over most of the Middle East, Trump's favorite appointee right now is the one who didn't challenge his power, As the Trump administration erases Black history, these writers are keeping it alive 23FEB26

 

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February 23, 2026 New documents from the Epstein files show that Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary and key proponent of President Trump's tariffs, may not have been truthful about the extent of his business relationship with the sex offender. Some background: Lutnick had claimed that he and his wife cut ties with Epstein in 2005. But Mother Jones’ Noah Lanard found files that reveal that the two men became significant investors in a digital ad tech company and talked frequently to each other about its finances. This business relationship followed a 2012 visit to Epstein's private island, during which Lutnick brought his family. A bit from the piece that caught my eye:  [Howard Lutnick] and Epstein in these emails also had a friendly discussion about real estate, including a reference to a property HWL called “pierre.” (Lutnick bought the penthouse in the Pierre Hotel in 2017.) Epstein asked, “i can buy my guest house?” HWL responded, “Haven’t even picked an architect/designer yet.” For the full look into Lutnick and Epstein, check out Noah’s scoop here.    —Alex Nguyen

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New Details From Epstein Files Reveal Lutnick Had Years-Long Business Tie With Sex Offender The commerce secretary apparently still hasn't come clean on his connection with Epstein. BY NOAH LANARD

SPONSORED POST 10 Worst Crises You Won’t See in Headlines (But Should) CARE’s annual Crisis Report notes countries the media isn’t covering. THIS CONTENT WAS PAID FOR AND SPONSORED BY CARE.ORG.

What was Bill Pulte’s charity really funding with this mystery donation? BY HANNAH LEVINTOVA AND DAN FRIEDMAN Supreme Court agrees to hear fossil fuel firms’ bid for climate immunity BY DHARNA NOOR US Ambassador to Israel: “It would be fine” if Israel took over most of the Middle East BY ALEX NGUYEN Trump's favorite appointee right now is the one who didn't challenge his power BY KATIE HERCHENROEDER

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As the Trump administration erases Black history, these writers are keeping it alive At a time when Black history is being removed from schools, museums, and parks, Black journalists are fighting to tell a more inclusive American story. BY REVEAL

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