President Donald Trump regularly engages in late-night phone conversations with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick around 1 a.m., often after Lutnick has already gone to bed, according to a recent profile published by The New Yorker on July 21.
The conversations between Trump and Lutnick cover a wide range of topics, from serious policy matters to casual discussions about television and media appearances. Lutnick revealed that the calls sometimes focus on real policy issues like tariffs, but frequently involve what he described as “nothing” – covering sporting events, people, dinner conversations, television commentary, press conferences, and social media posts.
The 62-year-old former chair and chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald was appointed Commerce Secretary in February after unsuccessfully lobbying for the Treasury role. Despite mixed reviews of his performance from sources within Trump’s orbit, Lutnick views himself as the president’s primary dealmaker, citing his extensive business experience as setting him apart from other cabinet members.
Lutnick acknowledged that Trump maintains similar late-night calling habits with other individuals in his circle, though he did not specify who else receives these after-hours communications. The practice reflects Trump’s well-documented pattern of requiring little sleep and maintaining accessibility to journalists and associates who have his private phone number.
The Commerce Secretary and his wife, Allison, purchased former Fox News anchor Bret Baier’s Washington, D.C. home for $25 million this year, moving to D.C. to facilitate Lutnick’s cabinet duties.
According to The New Yorker profile, Lutnick frequently encounters requests for intervention during his public appearances in Washington, with people approaching him during various outings throughout spring and summer seeking his assistance with different matters.
The relationship between Trump and Lutnick has evolved significantly over recent years. In 2016, Lutnick reportedly told a friend he considered Trump a buffoon and supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. However, by 2020, he had shifted his support to Trump and became a key fundraiser for the president’s campaign, eventually serving as co-chair of Trump’s post-2024 presidential transition team.
Lutnick’s role extends beyond casual conversations, as he has become a vigorous defender of Trump’s tariff policies. However, he has occasionally faced criticism for inconsistent messaging and bombastic communications. During a Congressional hearing last month, Republican senators expressed confusion when Lutnick appeared unfamiliar with some of his own trade laws.
The Commerce Secretary experienced Trump’s displeasure regarding the so-called reciprocal tariffs announced on April 2, which the president had promised would “Liberate America.” These tariffs were calculated using a complex formula involving trade deficits and total goods imported, divided by two. When Trump called Lutnick demanding explanations for how the tariff amounts were determined, Lutnick himself was uncertain about the calculations but was instructed to defend them publicly on television.
Sources within Trump’s administration have offered mixed assessments of Lutnick’s capabilities and influence. One unnamed source suggested that while Lutnick’s personality appeals to Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent provides more reassurance to those seeking competent leadership. Another insider was more critical, describing Lutnick as lacking real authority and functioning more as an errand boy than a genuine policy actor.
Despite criticism, Trump has publicly praised Lutnick’s business instincts, and the Commerce Secretary maintains regular visibility at the White House. Last week, Trump celebrated Lutnick’s birthday with a private dinner at his residence in Washington, D.C.
The late-night calling pattern mirrors Trump’s previous habits during his first presidential term, when he regularly contacted Fox News host Sean Hannity after his television show for extended conversations about media coverage, ratings, and political developments. These calls were characterized as resembling conversations between close friends discussing various topics of mutual interest.
Lutnick’s appointment came after his unsuccessful bid for the more prestigious Treasury Secretary position, which ultimately went to Scott Bessent. Despite this setback, Lutnick has positioned himself as Trump’s primary business expert within the cabinet, emphasizing his extensive private sector experience as a qualification for his current role in shaping trade policy.