Overview:
Howard Lutnick is a Jewish American businessman who heads the Cantor Fitzgerald financial services firm. Lutnick has notably played an influential role in President Donald Trump’s second election victory and overseeing Trump’s cabinet choices – himself being appointed as US Secretary of Commerce.
It is worth noting that Lutnick previously had real estate connections with Israeli intelligence asset, Jeffery Epstein. Alongside other Trump-affiliated Zionists such as Peter Thiel and JD Vance, Lutnick has also invested in Rumble, a right-leaning video-sharing platform. In short, Lutnick is one of the central figures leading Trump’s network of emerging “right wing” Zionists deeply embedded in the US/Israel start-up scene.
Switching Alliances After October 7
Lutnick has donated to various American politicians. He originally supported Democrat candidates such as Kamala Harris. However, after Hamas’ 7 October operation, he switched loyalties to the Republican party headed by Donald Trump. He claimed that his enthusiastic support for Trump originated from his “wife’s first and foremost political priority which is Israel”. He also praised Trump for his contributions to Israel’s expansionist policies, claiming his interest in Trump soared unprecedentedly after October 7, 2023.1 Lutnick’s change of colors can be categorized as part of a larger trend of Zionist Democrat or bipartisan donors exclusively funding neoconservative figures, mirroring Israel’s shift towards from a “two-state solution” to a Likud-led Jewish supremacist, one-state occupation of Palestine.
Israel’s Interests Guarantor
In Trump’s second term, Lutnick plays a role similar to which Sheldon Adelson played in Trump’s first term. Lutnick raised funds for Trump during his presidential campaigns in 2020 and 2024. He can be regarded as a guarantor of Israel’s interests in Trump’s government. Similar to Adelson, Lutnick is affiliated to the Orthodox Jewish cults such as Chabad Lubavitch and an adherent of the so-called Jewish “Messiah”, Rabbi Schneerson. In 2024, he accompanied Trump during his visit to Rabbi Schneerson’s grave, displaying his influence on Trump, especially regarding his Middle East policies.
Lutnick was also appointed by Trump as co-chair of his transition team. This technically means that Lutnick oversaw the selection of Trump’s new cabinet. He was also nominated by Trump as US Secretary of Commerce.
Donation to Israeli Causes
Lutnick has donated to a number of Israeli or pro-Israel organizations and causes. It is notable that he donated to the Birthright Israel which funds trips for Jews in the US to visit and eventually settle in Israel. Another organization supported by Lutnick is United Hatzalah. This organization is located in Jerusalem and provides Israelis with medical support.2
1: https://jewishinsider.com/2024/11/donald-trump-transition-team-howard-lutnick-pro-israel/
2: https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-taps-jewish-financier-howard-lutnick-as-commerce-secretary/
