Steve Witkoff

Steve Witkoff (born March 15, 1957, Bronx, New York, U.S.) is an American businessman who has worked in real estate, first as an attorney and then as an investor and developer. He amassed a fortune, much of it from the Witkoff Group (founded 1997), which buys, finances, and constructs buildings. In 2025 he became U.S. special envoy to the Middle East in the Republican administration of Pres. Donald Trump, a longtime friend. One of Witkoff’s primary goals is ending the Israel-Hamas War (2023– ). He also is involved in efforts to secure peace in the Russia-Ukraine War (2022– ) and to broker a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran.

Education and business career

Witkoff is one of four children born to Lois Witkoff, an interior designer, and Martin Witkoff, an executive at a clothing manufacturer. The family lived on Long Island, New York. Steve Witkoff later studied political science at Hofstra University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1980. Three years later he received a law degree from the school.

For several years Witkoff worked as a real estate lawyer, and it was during this time that he met Trump, who was a developer. The two later became good friends. In 1985 Witkoff cofounded (with Laurence Gluck) Stellar Management Company, a venture that involved buying and renting properties. Within a few years the business was making news for purchasing numerous office spaces in Manhattan. In 1997 he founded the Witkoff Group, serving as CEO and chair. Over the next 25 years the company was financially involved in more than 70 buildings. The Witkoff Group sometimes had financial deals with various Middle Eastern businesses and sovereign wealth funds.

Politics and Trump

During the 2016 presidential election, Witkoff backed Trump and donated money to his campaign; Trump was the eventual winner. In April 2020, about a month after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, Witkoff was tapped to serve on Trump’s Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, which sought to improve American prosperity. Trump lost his reelection bid in 2020 but ran again in 2024. That year Witkoff spoke at the Republican National Convention. He was golfing with Trump when the latter was the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt in September 2024.

After being elected to a second term in November 2024, Trump announced that Witkoff would serve as his special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff had no diplomatic experience, and some expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest given his business dealings in the region. Working with officials in the administration of outgoing Pres. Joe Biden, Witkoff helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas shortly before Trump took office in January 2025. As part of the deal, 33 hostages kidnapped by Hamas were exchanged for 1,500–2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, fighting resumed in March.

Highly trusted by Trump, Witkoff was quickly given more responsibilities. Notably, he was tasked with negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine War, and he met with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on several occasions. Witkoff’s proposed peace plans have featured several Russian demands, including the ownership of five regions in Ukraine. That point was rejected by Ukraine. In April 2025 Witkoff became involved in efforts to secure a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran.

Personal life

In 1987 Witkoff married Lauren Jill Rappoport, a lawyer. They later had three sons: Andrew, Alex, and Zach Witkoff. In 2011 Andrew Witkoff died from an opioid overdose while at a sober-living facility. In September 2024 Zach Witkoff cofounded (with Trump and others) World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture.

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