Former reality TV star turned President, Donald Trump, was once known for his catchphrase “you’re fired” on The Apprentice. Despite firing over 200 contestants on the show, he seems hesitant to dismiss certain individuals now.

One such individual is Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, who has come under scrutiny for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Initially, Lutnick claimed to have distanced himself from Epstein after an uncomfortable encounter in 2005. However, new revelations from the Epstein Files suggest otherwise.

Email correspondence from Lutnick’s wife to Epstein’s assistant in 2012 indicates further interactions with Epstein, including a lunch invitation to his private island after Epstein’s conviction as a child sex offender. Lutnick eventually admitted to meeting Epstein in person and visiting his island with his family in 2012.

Despite calls for Lutnick’s resignation, the White House has affirmed its support for him, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Trump stands by his Secretary of Commerce. This decision is consistent with Trump’s track record of retaining officials even in the face of controversy, such as in the cases of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Given the public outcry over connections to Epstein, many expected Trump to demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy towards such affiliations by dismissing Lutnick. However, as of now, Trump has chosen to retain him, despite growing demands for accountability from both voters and Epstein survivors.

The question remains: when will Trump follow his famous firing tradition and dismiss Lutnick for his association with Epstein?