Steve Witkoff: From Real Estate Mogul to Special Envoy to the Middle East for Trump

As the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, a 67-year-old real estate magnate with no prior experience in diplomacy, has had a substantial impact. Witkoff's appointment to this position, which occurred just one week after Trump's election in 2024, underscored their strong personal connection.

Witkoff was a close ally of former President Donald Trump. Witkoff has emerged as a prominent figure in high-stakes diplomatic discussions, particularly due to his skillful negotiation tactics and forthright nature. He played a significant role in the negotiation of the Gaza ceasefire in January 2025.

The armistice, which was implemented on January 19, coincided with Trump's second inauguration, creating a critical juncture in Middle East diplomacy. Witkoff was tasked with mediating intricate negotiations, despite his lack of formal diplomatic credentials. In early January 2025, he even participated in a rare collaboration between the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump team. Witkoff's participation in these negotiations was indispensable, particularly in light of the catastrophic consequences of Israel's 15-month offensive against Hamas, which had rendered Gaza in ruins.

Witkoff has been instrumental in the articulation and defense of Trump's controversial policy ideas, including the concept of relocating Palestinians from Gaza, which has sparked international debate, during his time as Special Envoy. Witkoff defended the plan by asserting that "a better life is not necessarily tied to the physical space you are in today," a statement that some critics condemned as ethnic cleansing. However, Trump has commended his uncomplicated foreign policy approach, stating that it has been "fantastic."

Considering his upbringing, Witkoff's ascent to prominence in diplomacy is truly remarkable. Witkoff, who was born in the Bronx on March 15, 1957, amassed his wealth through real estate. In 1997, he established the Witkoff Group, a real estate development and investment firm, after beginning his career as a corporate counsel. The company emerged as a significant participant in the industry under his leadership. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has jokingly observed, "This guy knows real estate," alluding to Witkoff's business acumen as a critical component of his negotiation strategy.

Witkoff's personal life has been characterized by tragedy, despite his success in business. A son was lost to an OxyContin overdose in 2011, an experience that has had a profound impact on him and has influenced his perspective. Witkoff's political career has been swiftly ascending, despite the personal challenges he has faced. His negotiation abilities in the Middle East have become a defining characteristic of his tenure.

Steven Cook, an expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, is among those who warn that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be approached as a real estate transaction. However, Witkoff's unconventional approach persists in challenging the status quo, prompting inquiries regarding the future of U.S. foreign policy in the region.

Witkoff's distinctive combination of diplomatic negotiation and business acumen has revolutionized the conventional framework of international relations in this volatile region, and he continues to be a critical figure in the development of U.S. strategy in the Middle East as of February 2025.