Meet Howard Lutnick, our Secretary of Commerce and a man who seemingly wants to play “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” with international infrastructure. While most billionaires spend their time worrying about rocket ships or yacht upgrades, Howard has found a new calling: The Bridge Troll.
The “Disgusting” Disconnect
Before we get to the concrete and steel, we have to acknowledge Howard’s other problem: his memory, which is... flexible. For years, he claimed he cut ties with Jeffrey Epstein around 2005, calling him “disgusting” and “gross.” Then came the 2026 Epstein files release. It turns out that “cutting ties” apparently included a 2012 family field trip to Epstein’s private island.
Howard was very specific in his Senate testimony: he had his wife, his four kids, and multiple nannies in tow. He made a point to mention that when they left after their one-hour lunch, they left “all together” - no nannies left behind. It’s the kind of high-stakes head count you usually see only on a kindergarten field trip, but certainly appropriate when the playground is owned by a convicted felon.
The $1 Million Toll
So, why does a guy with more money than some small countries take a government job? Is it the prestige? Or is it the power to help out fellow billionaires?
Enter Matthew Moroun, the owner of the aging Ambassador Toll Bridge joining Detroit MI and Windsor Canada and a very generous friend to the party. The Moroun family has spent over $30 million over the years trying to kill its new neighbor, the new Gordie Howe Bridge. In just the last year, Matthew has handed over $1 million to the RNC, including a very specific $132,900 donation to a “legal proceedings account” directly benefiting Trump.
The Art of the (Bridge) Deal
Here’s the timeline from Monday, February 9, 2026, that shows what money can buy in Trump’s Washington:
The Meeting: Matthew Moroun sits down for a private chat with Howard Lutnick.
The Phone Call: Immediately after the meeting, Lutnick hops on the phone with the President.
The Truth-nado: Hours later, the President “truths” that the new bridge - which is being built and paid for entirely by Canada - isn’t allowed to open.
The Ransom: The demand? The U.S. must be “fully compensated” for a bridge it didn’t pay for, and the President suggested the U.S. should now own at least half of the asset.
Of course, no one checked the paperwork: the bridge is already half-owned by Michigan. Under the 2012 Canada-Michigan Crossing Agreement, Canada is covering 100% of the $6.4 billion cost, including the land and interchanges on the Michigan side. The bridge is publicly owned jointly by Canada and the State of Michigan. Because Canada paid for everything, they keep 100% of the toll revenue until they are reimbursed. Once the debt is cleared, Michigan and Canada share the profits.
It turns out that being the Secretary of Commerce involves a lot more “trolling” than the job description suggested. Canada provides the bridge; the donors provide the cash; and Howard provides the leverage.