Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Flaunts ‘Trump Card’ Symbolizing Elitist Residency Scheme, Sparks Backlash Over Epstein Ties
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Howard Lutnick’s public display of a card tied to the administration’s exclusive fast-track residency program for the wealthy reignites scrutiny of his and Trump’s connections to notorious predator Jeffrey Epstein, drawing criticism of the administration’s favoritism toward the rich.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick brazenly posted an image on X on Sunday, showcasing a card emblematic of the administration’s fast-track permanent residency program—an initiative designed to cater to wealthy foreign nationals while sidelining ordinary immigrants. The post, captioned with the loaded phrase “Trump Card,” was a stark reminder of the administration’s ongoing preference for the ultra-rich.
The image quickly ignited a storm of reactions online. Many users mocked the card’s simplistic, almost laughable resemblance to a basic laminated library card, while others pointed out the program’s exorbitant fees that effectively shut out working-class immigrants. The post also reignited longstanding criticism of Lutnick and former President Donald Trump, particularly regarding their documented associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—a symbol of the unchecked power and privilege enjoyed by elites.
Further speculation swirled as the term “Trump Card” was linked to a recent controversy in which the president reportedly intervened with FIFA to influence a red-card suspension for U.S. soccer forward Folarin Balogun, underscoring the administration’s willingness to bend rules for those in their inner circle.
