"Ice Cream, Unconventional Concepts, and Pursuing Women: Exploring the Extended Bond Between Trump and Lutnick"
While many of Trump’s allies are working to have Howard Lutnick removed from his position, his close friendship with the president provides him with a layer of protection.
TroibNews 
During his second term, President Donald Trump has frequently retreated to Mar-a-Lago, and on every such occasion, one incumbent Cabinet secretary has joined him: Howard Lutnick. This is the same man whom the president often invites for ice cream sundaes on Friday nights to discuss the week’s happenings; the same man who was his first call to broach some unconventional ideas, such as annexing the Panama Canal and instituting a $5 million "gold card" visa.
However, discussions with Trump allies outside the White House reveal a different sentiment regarding the Commerce secretary. Many express scant appreciation for Lutnick, labeling him as brash and impulsive and claiming he indulges Trump's worst instincts on tariffs that could threaten the economy. They criticize his loud demeanor as indicative of poor judgment and suggest that his position is precarious at best—a narrative fueled by gossip circulating within Trump’s orbit.
Yet, critics’ assessments may be colored by wishful thinking. Despite their ongoing critiques, individuals close to Trump maintain that Lutnick is not going anywhere soon. His long-standing, close relationship with the president— which Lutnick describes as his "superpower"—has provided him with a shield amid the turmoil of Trump’s world. This is particularly true following the tumultuous unveiling of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff policies, a blunder that might have cost another Commerce secretary their job.
“They’re very simpatico on a lot of things. The president trusts him,” remarked a White House official, who spoke anonymously to share candid opinions. This official dismissed Lutnick’s detractors as envious individuals who are "out of the loop."
The bond between Trump and Lutnick spans over three decades, encompassing both favorable and challenging times. Their acquaintance deepened at various charity events in New York City and solidified following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Lutnick, who was then CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, lost 658 employees, including his brother, during the attacks. Trump made frequent calls to check on Lutnick after the latter was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2021, demonstrating the depth of their personal connection.
Lutnick has excelled in areas that Trump highly values: loyalty and financial prowess. Even after the fallout from January 6, 2021, Lutnick continued to support Trump, joining him for golf outings in Palm Beach. During difficult phases of the 2024 campaign, those close to Trump noted that Lutnick “stuck by the president” on even the most challenging days. His financial contributions further underscore his commitment; he donated over $10 million to Trump's re-election efforts and helped raise an additional $75 million through his Wall Street connections.
Given their extensive history, it is hard to envision Trump terminating Lutnick’s position, especially when he chose not to dismiss national security adviser Michael Waltz or Boris Epshteyn, both of whom faced serious controversies. Many within Trump’s circle believe that significant scandal would be required to jeopardize Lutnick’s standing.
Of course, the dynamics could shift, as numerous Trump officials have experienced. Several allies have openly criticized Lutnick to Trump, hoping to see him removed. Those familiar with working with Trump note that the time could arise when he requires a scapegoat for economic troubles—leading to speculation that Lutnick may be positioned as that figure.
A spokesperson for Lutnick opted not to comment, while White House spokesperson Kush Desai emphasized that “the media is obsessing about palace intrigue from anonymous sources who aren’t even in the administration,” rather than focusing on Trump’s measures to tackle national trade deficits. Desai lauded Lutnick as “an asset” to the economic team.
Lutnick's critics assert that as long as he remains in the president's orbit, Trump has an ally who may exacerbate his most reckless instincts. Detractors allege that Lutnick often reinforces whatever Trump wishes to hear instead of presenting a realistic perspective on potential backlash. Nevertheless, defenders of Lutnick argue that this portrayal is inaccurate.
“People are going to shit talk. The president likes the secretary, and that's all that matters,” stated an administration official who stood by Lutnick.
While Lutnick enjoys favored status with Trump, his tenure in the administration has not been devoid of missteps. The controversy has notably intensified in recent weeks, particularly as Lutnick has emerged as one of the more prominent figures in the administration's trade conflicts.
Problems initially surfaced during the transition when Trump’s inner circle expressed frustration with Lutnick’s regular presence at Mar-a-Lago, suspecting he blurred lines between personal and official matters—a claim he denied. Additionally, some in Trump’s broader circle began to blame Lutnick for failed appointments within the administration.
Despite such issues, Lutnick ultimately secured a Cabinet position. Nevertheless, he has faced scrutiny for notable errors relating to tariffs. One such incident involved a mishandling of a graphic announcement that inadvertently included tariffs applying to uninhabited territories, suggesting a miscommunication within the Commerce Department.
White House officials also found it troubling when Lutnick suggested that Social Security recipients wouldn’t mind missing a check. Further controversy arose when he downplayed the likelihood of an economic downturn, claiming that millions could be engaged in manufacturing iPhones soon. At times, he has even publicly jumped ahead of the president, such as when he previewed upcoming auto tariffs without prior clearance.
The ongoing blunders have led to whispers within Trump’s world that Lutnick was arranging television appearances without White House approval, prompting calls for him to limit his media presence. Business leaders have likewise criticized Lutnick for producing uncertainty surrounding tariff-related matters.
Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman suggested in a recent post on X that Lutnick has been profiting from the tariff disputes. Lutnick’s supporters, however, attribute such complaints to frustrated associates looking for an outlet for their challenges with Trump, insisting that ultimately, he drives the tariff decisions.
Despite the swelling negative sentiment surrounding him, Lutnick publicly addressed some tariff exemptions on ABC's "This Week." His comments, however, reignited complaints from Trump’s circle that he was, once again, overstepping boundaries, leading to unfounded rumors about his lack of permission to appear on the show.
Despite these claims, administration officials clarified that all relevant parties, including Trump, had previously coordinated the strategy. Concerned about investor reactions, they believed that providing clarity sooner rather than later was better than allowing the market to react unpredictably.
Additionally, Trump was agitated by a growing narrative suggesting he was "caving" in the trade confrontation—language he has come to resent.
“What Howard said, literally, was what was written on the talking points sheet that we send to all our Sunday show surrogates,” a White House official stated. “He adheres to the talking points and what we want out there. None of us have an issue with what he says. And if there was, we wouldn’t be booking him on a Sunday show.”
Shortly after the LUTNICK rumors took hold, Trump took to Truth Social to express his support for Lutnick, stating, "He knows I love him."
Ultimately, Lutnick's survival, insiders suggest, hinges on his personal relationship with Trump. Both men share a brash, wealthy New Yorker demeanor, often diverging from the expected decorum of Washington. While Lutnick's bluntness may irk many within the Trump administration, it resonates with the president.
In a podcast episode, Lutnick recounted shared experiences with Trump, including moments from their youth and the enduring nature of their friendship. As he talked about how integral he has been to Trump’s current administration, he also detailed many of the ideas he proposed to the president, including visions for reorganizing the government.
Despite his evident self-importance—he humorously mentioned needing a large house for his ego—many Trump insiders caution Lutnick to remain vigilant. In Trump's world, they remind him, no one is irreplaceable, particularly if they lack a broader social network. The loyalty to Trump alone may not preserve his position indefinitely, and Lutnick’s close association with the president might not shield him from unforeseen consequences.
“Everybody’s safe until they’re not,” one White House ally remarked.
Trump himself is acutely aware that few would lament Lutnick’s departure.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
However, discussions with Trump allies outside the White House reveal a different sentiment regarding the Commerce secretary. Many express scant appreciation for Lutnick, labeling him as brash and impulsive and claiming he indulges Trump's worst instincts on tariffs that could threaten the economy. They criticize his loud demeanor as indicative of poor judgment and suggest that his position is precarious at best—a narrative fueled by gossip circulating within Trump’s orbit.
Yet, critics’ assessments may be colored by wishful thinking. Despite their ongoing critiques, individuals close to Trump maintain that Lutnick is not going anywhere soon. His long-standing, close relationship with the president— which Lutnick describes as his "superpower"—has provided him with a shield amid the turmoil of Trump’s world. This is particularly true following the tumultuous unveiling of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff policies, a blunder that might have cost another Commerce secretary their job.
“They’re very simpatico on a lot of things. The president trusts him,” remarked a White House official, who spoke anonymously to share candid opinions. This official dismissed Lutnick’s detractors as envious individuals who are "out of the loop."
The bond between Trump and Lutnick spans over three decades, encompassing both favorable and challenging times. Their acquaintance deepened at various charity events in New York City and solidified following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Lutnick, who was then CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, lost 658 employees, including his brother, during the attacks. Trump made frequent calls to check on Lutnick after the latter was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2021, demonstrating the depth of their personal connection.
Lutnick has excelled in areas that Trump highly values: loyalty and financial prowess. Even after the fallout from January 6, 2021, Lutnick continued to support Trump, joining him for golf outings in Palm Beach. During difficult phases of the 2024 campaign, those close to Trump noted that Lutnick “stuck by the president” on even the most challenging days. His financial contributions further underscore his commitment; he donated over $10 million to Trump's re-election efforts and helped raise an additional $75 million through his Wall Street connections.
Given their extensive history, it is hard to envision Trump terminating Lutnick’s position, especially when he chose not to dismiss national security adviser Michael Waltz or Boris Epshteyn, both of whom faced serious controversies. Many within Trump’s circle believe that significant scandal would be required to jeopardize Lutnick’s standing.
Of course, the dynamics could shift, as numerous Trump officials have experienced. Several allies have openly criticized Lutnick to Trump, hoping to see him removed. Those familiar with working with Trump note that the time could arise when he requires a scapegoat for economic troubles—leading to speculation that Lutnick may be positioned as that figure.
A spokesperson for Lutnick opted not to comment, while White House spokesperson Kush Desai emphasized that “the media is obsessing about palace intrigue from anonymous sources who aren’t even in the administration,” rather than focusing on Trump’s measures to tackle national trade deficits. Desai lauded Lutnick as “an asset” to the economic team.
Lutnick's critics assert that as long as he remains in the president's orbit, Trump has an ally who may exacerbate his most reckless instincts. Detractors allege that Lutnick often reinforces whatever Trump wishes to hear instead of presenting a realistic perspective on potential backlash. Nevertheless, defenders of Lutnick argue that this portrayal is inaccurate.
“People are going to shit talk. The president likes the secretary, and that's all that matters,” stated an administration official who stood by Lutnick.
While Lutnick enjoys favored status with Trump, his tenure in the administration has not been devoid of missteps. The controversy has notably intensified in recent weeks, particularly as Lutnick has emerged as one of the more prominent figures in the administration's trade conflicts.
Problems initially surfaced during the transition when Trump’s inner circle expressed frustration with Lutnick’s regular presence at Mar-a-Lago, suspecting he blurred lines between personal and official matters—a claim he denied. Additionally, some in Trump’s broader circle began to blame Lutnick for failed appointments within the administration.
Despite such issues, Lutnick ultimately secured a Cabinet position. Nevertheless, he has faced scrutiny for notable errors relating to tariffs. One such incident involved a mishandling of a graphic announcement that inadvertently included tariffs applying to uninhabited territories, suggesting a miscommunication within the Commerce Department.
White House officials also found it troubling when Lutnick suggested that Social Security recipients wouldn’t mind missing a check. Further controversy arose when he downplayed the likelihood of an economic downturn, claiming that millions could be engaged in manufacturing iPhones soon. At times, he has even publicly jumped ahead of the president, such as when he previewed upcoming auto tariffs without prior clearance.
The ongoing blunders have led to whispers within Trump’s world that Lutnick was arranging television appearances without White House approval, prompting calls for him to limit his media presence. Business leaders have likewise criticized Lutnick for producing uncertainty surrounding tariff-related matters.
Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman suggested in a recent post on X that Lutnick has been profiting from the tariff disputes. Lutnick’s supporters, however, attribute such complaints to frustrated associates looking for an outlet for their challenges with Trump, insisting that ultimately, he drives the tariff decisions.
Despite the swelling negative sentiment surrounding him, Lutnick publicly addressed some tariff exemptions on ABC's "This Week." His comments, however, reignited complaints from Trump’s circle that he was, once again, overstepping boundaries, leading to unfounded rumors about his lack of permission to appear on the show.
Despite these claims, administration officials clarified that all relevant parties, including Trump, had previously coordinated the strategy. Concerned about investor reactions, they believed that providing clarity sooner rather than later was better than allowing the market to react unpredictably.
Additionally, Trump was agitated by a growing narrative suggesting he was "caving" in the trade confrontation—language he has come to resent.
“What Howard said, literally, was what was written on the talking points sheet that we send to all our Sunday show surrogates,” a White House official stated. “He adheres to the talking points and what we want out there. None of us have an issue with what he says. And if there was, we wouldn’t be booking him on a Sunday show.”
Shortly after the LUTNICK rumors took hold, Trump took to Truth Social to express his support for Lutnick, stating, "He knows I love him."
Ultimately, Lutnick's survival, insiders suggest, hinges on his personal relationship with Trump. Both men share a brash, wealthy New Yorker demeanor, often diverging from the expected decorum of Washington. While Lutnick's bluntness may irk many within the Trump administration, it resonates with the president.
In a podcast episode, Lutnick recounted shared experiences with Trump, including moments from their youth and the enduring nature of their friendship. As he talked about how integral he has been to Trump’s current administration, he also detailed many of the ideas he proposed to the president, including visions for reorganizing the government.
Despite his evident self-importance—he humorously mentioned needing a large house for his ego—many Trump insiders caution Lutnick to remain vigilant. In Trump's world, they remind him, no one is irreplaceable, particularly if they lack a broader social network. The loyalty to Trump alone may not preserve his position indefinitely, and Lutnick’s close association with the president might not shield him from unforeseen consequences.
“Everybody’s safe until they’re not,” one White House ally remarked.
Trump himself is acutely aware that few would lament Lutnick’s departure.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
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