Steven Witkoff: From Real Estate Mogul to Middle East Envoy

Steven Witkoff is a prominent figure in the real estate world, known for his investment acumen, philanthropic endeavors, and the founding of the Witkoff Group. His career trajectory has been marked by significant achievements in property development and a foray into the realm of international diplomacy.

Early Life and Education

Steven Charles Witkoff was born on March 15, 1957, in the Bronx, New York. He spent his childhood on Long Island as the son of a manufacturer of women’s coats. Witkoff began his studies at Union College in Schenectady, New York, but he chose to transfer to Hofstra University, where he earned a BA in political science in 1980. Demonstrating a commitment to legal studies, he graduated from Hofstra’s law school in 1983.

Early Career in Law and Real Estate

After graduating from Hofstra Law School in 1983, Steve Witkoff began his career at the New York real estate law firm Dreyer & Traub. He represented large developers and investors, gaining valuable experience in the real estate sector. Donald Trump was a client of the firm. Witkoff said of the real estate moguls who contracted with the firm, “Every day you were representing these swashbuckling guys”.

In 1985, Witkoff partnered with Laurence Gluck to establish Stellar Management, a firm whose name was a play on their first names, Steve and Laurence. The firm focused on acquiring properties in Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Bronx.

Founding and Leading the Witkoff Group

In 1997, Witkoff founded the Witkoff Group, where he served as chairman and co-CEO. The company is involved in financing, repositioning, and construction of more than 70 properties in major business districts in the United States and abroad. It has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. The Witkoff Group sometimes had financial deals with various Middle Eastern businesses and sovereign wealth funds. Forbes estimated Witkoff’s wealth at $1 billion in 2024.

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Notable Acquisitions and Projects

Witkoff's real estate ventures include several high-profile acquisitions and developments:

Woolworth Building: In 1998, Witkoff purchased the major New York City landmark Woolworth Building for $155 million from the Venator Group, formerly the Woolworth Corporation. It was the first time the building changed hands since it was built 85 years earlier.
Banyan Cay Resort & Golf: The Witkoff Group teamed with Access Industries of New York and London, and PPG Development of Hallandale Beach to buy Banyan Cay Resort & Golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. They took over the property in 2024 and rebranded it as Dutchman’s Pipe Golf Club.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas: Witkoff has been involved in the development of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a project that has faced numerous delays and challenges.
Shore Club Private Collection: The Witkoff Group has also been involved in the Shore Club Private Collection project in Miami Beach.

Political Engagement and Relationship with Donald Trump

Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump have reportedly been friends since the 1980s, when Witkoff bought Trump a sandwich after the two worked on a real estate deal together. Steve Wikoff’s son Zach had his 2022 wedding at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

Witkoff has been a supporter of Donald Trump, both financially and politically. During the 2024 presidential cycle, Witkoff donated more than $2 million supporting Trump’s election, but he had also contributed six figures to boost the presidential campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Witkoff testified at Trump’s fraud trial brought by the New York attorney general’s office in 2024. Witkoff testified that Trump’s Doral golf course in Miami was undervalued. On the day former President Trump was shot in the ear in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024, Witkoff said he called to express his concern.

Witkoff had speaking roles during major 2024 Trump campaign events such as the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Trump’s second rally in Butler, Pennsylvania where the first assassination attempt occurred; and at Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

During the Trump presidential campaigns, Witkoff helped to raise money among Jewish donors for Trump. Witkoff said he secured “six-figure and seven-figure donations” from Jewish donors after President Joe Biden announced he would pause weapons shipments to Israel.

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Appointment as Special Envoy to the Middle East

After the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Trump named Witkoff and former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R) to co-chair his inaugural committee for his January 2025 inauguration.

Trump announced his intention to nominate Witkoff as his Middle East envoy in the second Trump administration, President-elect Trump wrote, “Steve is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy, who has made every project and community he has been involved with stronger and more prosperous. Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”

Witkoff is pro-Israel, and in July 2024, he attended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress.

Despite lacking formal diplomatic experience, Witkoff was appointed special envoy to the Middle East in the Republican administration of Pres. Donald Trump, a longtime friend. Presidents and secretaries of state can appoint special envoys as their personal representatives to deal with a high-priority issue or region.

Diplomatic Activities

One of Witkoff’s primary goals is ending the Israel-Hamas War (2023- ). He was involved in the negotiations that led to a ceasefire deal in October 2025; the terms included the release of the remaining living Israeli hostages. Witkoff also is active in efforts to secure peace in the Russia-Ukraine War (2022- ) and to broker a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran.

Witkoff’s approach differed from traditional diplomatic methods, as he, joined by McGurk on speakerphone from Qatar, applied pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finalize the deal, stressing that Trump wanted the deal done, achieving in the final weeks what had been in negotiation for nearly a year. The New York Times wrote, "It was a vivid example of cooperation between two men representing bitter political rivals.

In early August 2025, Witkoff traveled to Moscow for another round of talks with Putin. During the meeting, Witkoff reportedly misunderstood Putin’s remarks-interpreting a suggestion that he was open to a “peaceful withdrawal” of Ukrainian forces from occupied territories as an offer for Russian forces to withdraw from regions such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. This misinterpretation, conveyed back to Washington, seemingly prompted President Trump to pause new sanctions and extend an invitation to Putin for a summit in Alaska. The Alaska 2025 summit took place on August 15, 2025.

On August 17, 2025, Witkoff claimed that, during the Alaska summit, Putin had promised to enshrine a non-aggression pledge in Russia’s constitution. Witkoff with Putin, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov and Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in St.

Controversies and Criticisms

Witkoff's appointment and diplomatic activities have not been without controversy:

Lack of Diplomatic Experience: Critics have pointed to Witkoff's lack of formal diplomatic experience as a potential hindrance to his effectiveness as a special envoy.
Business Ties in the Middle East: Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest due to Witkoff's extensive business ties in the Middle East.
Relationship with Vladimir Putin: Witkoff's positive remarks about Vladimir Putin and his involvement in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have drawn criticism.
Alleged Misunderstanding of Putin's Remarks: Witkoff's reported misinterpretation of Putin's remarks regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces led to confusion and controversy.
Leaked Phone Call: A leaked transcript of a phone call between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin's most senior foreign policy advisor, showed Witkoff giving Ushakov advice on negotiating with President Trump. The leak led to condemnation of Witkoff by several members of Congress.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Witkoff married Lauren Rappoport. They had three sons: Zach, Alex and Andrew .4 Alex Witkoff is the co-CEO of the Witkoff Group. 5 Zach Witkoff is executive vice president of the company.

Steve Witkoff lost his son Andrew Witkoff to an opioid overdose in 2011 at the at the One80 Center, a rehab facility. The Witkoff family sued the center. During his remarks at the 2024 Republican National Convention, he noted how former President Donald Trump had supported him during the loss of his son.

Witkoff is also known for his philanthropic activities.

Views on Economic Issues

In May 2024, Witkoff argued that New York and California were facing economic disaster regarding commercial real estate. He noted that many multifamily housing units were unaffordable because of interest rates and a cultural shift to hybrid work models.

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