Steven Witkoff

Steven C. Witkoff is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Witkoff, which he founded in 1997. Since founding the firm, Mr. Witkoff has leveraged his extensive real estate expertise to successfully lead the financing, repositioning, and construction of over 70 properties in major business districts in the U.S. as well as abroad and with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
 
Before founding Witkoff, Mr. Witkoff co-founded Stellar Management Company, where he acquired and repositioned a portfolio of residential buildings in New York City. Earlier in his career, he practiced real estate law at Dreyer & Traub and Rosenman & Colin, where he represented a number of large developers and investors.
 
Mr. Witkoff has served on the Executive Committee for the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) as a trustee for the Intrepid Foundation, and as a board member for the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. Mr. Witkoff currently serves as Chairman of the University of Miami Business School Real Estate Advisory Board and is a member of the Hofstra University Board of Trustees. In October 2019, he was honored with a Presidential appointment to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He is a widely sought-after public speaker on trends in global real estate.

Witkoff met Donald Trump in 1986 when he was a lawyer acting for Trump at the law firm where he worked. Over the years, the friendship only deepened. Witkoff praised Trump’s loyalty after his son died of an opioid overdose in 2011 and said in his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention that “Trump’s presence brought real comfort in a dark hour.” Witkoff, for his part, enlisted to help Trump in his fraud trial in Manhattan. He was the first to testify in his defense. Witkoff was also one of Trump’s biggest fundraisers, bringing the campaign tens of millions of dollars in funding. Witkoff reportedly stayed with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate the week before Election Day.

On November 11, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Witkoff as the administration’s Special Envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, a Jewish pro-Israel fundraiser for Trump, raised substantial donations from Jewish supporters following President Biden’s pause on weapons shipments to Israel. Witkoff attended Prime Minister Netanyahu’s July speech to Congress, describing it as a “spiritual” experience. Despite his pro-Israel stance, Witkoff had no known prior experience in diplomacy or Middle Eastern affairs. Witkoff attributes his transition to Middle East diplomacy to his close relationship with President Trump and a desire to correct regional miscommunication. He highlights Trump’s “peace through strength” strategy as a break from past policies.

Witkoff’s business ties with Qatar and the UAE have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. He participated in the Qatar Economic Forum, and his son has been involved in real estate development ventures in the country. Additionally, Witkoff secured megadeals with sovereign wealth funds from the UAE, including transactions involving his Park Lane Hotel in New York. The Qatar Investment Authority notably acquired the hotel from Witkoff for $623 million, mere months after he participated in the economic forum. 

In late November 2024, Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha to push for a Gaza ceasefire and hostages’ release before President-elect Trump’s inauguration. Witkoff and Al Thani emphasized the urgency of a resolution to stabilize the region. The next day, in Israel, Witkoff discussed similar goals with Prime Minister Netanyahu and met with families of Israeli hostages to update them on efforts to expedite a deal.

The following month, Witkoff met with Saudi Crown Prince  in Saudi Arabia, marking the first official contact between MBS and Trump’s incoming administration. Witkoff’s visit aimed to advance Trump’s goal of securing a “mega-deal” with Saudi Arabia, including a historic peace agreement with Israel and progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Witkoff discussed US-Saudi relations, the Gaza war, and regional issues during his trip. Earlier in the week, he attended a crypto conference in the UAE and met with UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed to address regional challenges, including the war in Gaza and the situation in Syria.

Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to pause the conflict in Gaza and establish a framework for the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners in January 2025, with Witkoff playing a key role in finalizing negotiations. In the crucial and final meeting before the prime minister authorized the Israeli negotiating team to move forward with the Hamas-Israel hostage and ceasefire agreement, Witkoff reportedly told Netanyahu that he needs to make decisions and approve the mediators to make them - but if the prime minister does not want to do so, then everyone involved in the talks should pack up and go home. “The president is a great friend of Israel,” Witkoff is quoted as saying to Netanyahu, “and now it's time to be a friend back.

Witkoff clarified on Fox News that the Trump administration had no role in determining the prisoner-to-hostage exchange ratio in the recent Hamas-Israel hostage release and ceasefire agreement. He announced plans to travel to Israel as part of an inspection team to oversee the ceasefire’s implementation in the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors, emphasizing that successful execution could lead to additional hostage releases. Witkoff highlighted the ceasefire as a vital step toward Middle East normalization, stating that “everybody,” including Qatar, could be part of future normalization efforts.

Witkoff shared how the 2011 loss of his son deeply connected him to the struggles of Israeli hostage families. He described his role overseeing the ceasefire-for-hostages agreement as “the most worthy thing” he could ever do. While acknowledging the emotional toll of the role might limit his tenure. Witkoff led a U.S. delegation to Poland to participate in events marking the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and met with hostage families. The delegation included notable figures such as Howard Lutnick, Charles Kushner, and Boris Epshteyn.

It was reported that Israeli officials are concerned about the influence of Qatar’s authorities on Witkoff, given his business ties with the country. Despite Israel’s high regard for him and his strong connection to Israel’s security needs, there are fears that his relationship with Qatar could unduly impact his actions.

Witkoff stated that rebuilding Gaza could take 10 to 15 years due to the extensive destruction caused during the 15-month war. He visited Gaza in late January 2025 to inspect the situation firsthand, describing it as “uninhabitable” with no water, electricity, or standing structures. While aid is entering Gaza and security measures are holding, Witkoff emphasized that clearing debris alone could take five years, with additional delays due to underground tunnels.

In a February 2025 American Jewish Committee (AJC) interview, Witkoff defined rebuilding Gaza in a way that eliminates Hamas’s influence as a key administration priority. He stated that normalization remains crucial for regional stability, with Saudi Arabia supporting it due to financial risks tied to conflict. Witkoff suggested that Saudi-Israel normalization will depend on a fully developed Gaza plan. He mentioned that he sees potential for Lebanon and Syria to join the Abraham Accords. He critiqued the Biden administration’s five-year Gaza redevelopment plan as unrealistic, stressing it could take as much as 15-25 years. He believes Israel’s full integration into the region is inevitable, citing security and economic benefits. He highlights Israel’s leadership in technological innovation, which could drive collaboration with Arab nations.

In the same month, Witkoff unexpectedly emerged as a key player in U.S. efforts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Witkoff was present at a high-level U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion of his role beyond the Middle East. His involvement follows a headline-making trip to Russia, where he successfully negotiated the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, personally flying him back to the U.S. 

In a March 2025 interview with conservative media figure Tucker Carlson, Steven Witkoff provided a detailed analysis of Qatar’s motivations, suggesting that their efforts to act as peacemakers stem from a desire to enhance their international standing, and mentioned that a key component of his diplomatic approach involves using Qatar as a direct communication channel with Hamas, relying on the Qatari Prime Minister as a trusted intermediary. Witkoff also shared a nuanced perspective on Hamas, arguing that while their ambition to rule Gaza is unacceptable, they are not entirely driven by ideology and possess a desire for self-preservation that could be engaged in negotiations. Finally, Witkoff underscored the importance of addressing Iran as a central regional security challenge, particularly regarding its nuclear ambitions and support for proxy forces. He views this as a prerequisite for achieving broader stability in the Middle East.

The following month, Witkoff took on a central role in restarting U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations — marking a dramatic expansion of his diplomatic portfolio. In a pivotal meeting in Oman, Witkoff held a rare, brief face-to-face exchange with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the first known direct contact between U.S. and Iranian officials since Trump returned to office. Witkoff emphasized that the administration’s red line remains the weaponization of Iran’s nuclear program while signaling a willingness to explore compromises short of complete dismantlement. Witkoff’s engagement reflects the administration’s view that now is a unique moment to strike a deal or consider a military campaign.

Sources: “Statement from President Donald J. Trump,” Trump Vance Transition, (November 12, 2024). 
“Trump picks Jewish real estate tycoon Steven Witkoff for Mideast envoy,” Jerusalem Post, (November 12, 2024).
“Qatar said resuming Gaza mediation role as Trump envoy pushes for deal by Jan. 20,” Times of Israel, (December 5, 2024).
“Middle East ‘mega-deal’: Trump envoy Witkoff meets MBS in Saudi visit,” Jerusalem Post, (December 14, 2024).
Ben Samuels, “Trump’s Mideast Appointees Raise Ethical and Political Concerns,” Haaretz, (December 31, 2024). 
“Ceasefire deal a step to normalization in Middle East, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff says,” Fox News, (January 22, 2025).
“Trump said set to appoint Steve Witkoff to manage Iran nuclear file,” Times of Israel, (January 23, 2025).
Gabby Deutch, “Trump denies Witkoff will lead diplomatic efforts with Iran,” Jewish Insider, (January 24, 2025).
Jacob Kornbluh, Trump Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff draws on personal tragedy to push for the release of Israeli hostages, Forward, (January 27, 2025).
Itamar Eichner, “Trump’s Envoy Arrives to Promote Phase Two of the Deal, Concerns in Israel Over His Ties to Qatar,” Ynet, (January 28, 2025). [Hebrew]
Barak Ravid, “Exclusive: Trump Middle East envoy says rebuilding Gaza could take 10 to 15 years,” Axios, (January 30, 2025).
Ariel Witman, “The man behind the hostage deal breakthrough,” Globes, (February 7, 2025).
Rachel Treisman, “Who is the American playing a key role in the U.S.-Russia talks about Ukraine?” NPR, (February 18, 2025).
“AJC Center for a New Middle East: Special Envoy Steven Witkoff in Conversation with Jason Isaacson,” AJC, (February 26, 2025).
@TuckerCarlson, (March 21, 2025).
Felicia Schwartz, Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing, “Witkoff spoke briefly with Iranian counterpart amid Trump’s nuclear pressure campaign,” Politico, (April 12, 2025).

Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.