Steven C. Witkoff (b. 1957, New York, USA) is an American businessman, real estate developer, and diplomat, best known for his special representative roles on critical international files such as the Middle East, Russia–Ukraine War, and Iran nuclear negotiations, where he has served as one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s most trusted figures.

Steven Charles Witkoff was born in 1957 in the Bronx district of New York and raised on Long Island. He began his academic career at Hofstra University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He subsequently graduated from the university’s law school (Hofstra Law School) with a Doctor of Law degree.

Witkoff began his career as a lawyer specializing in real estate law, working at New York-based law firms Dreyer & Traub and Rosenman & Colin. During this period, he represented numerous major real estate developers and investors, gaining deep insight into the industry’s dynamics. In 1985, he co-founded Stellar Management with former colleague Larry Gluck, transitioning into direct investment by acquiring and repositioning a series of residential and office buildings in New York.^【1】 

In 1997, Steven Witkoff established the Witkoff Group bearing his name and quickly transformed it into a globally recognized real estate firm. The company has delivered over 70 projects in major centers including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Notable properties in Witkoff’s portfolio include the historic Woolworth Building in Manhattan, the Park Lane Hotel, 111 Murray Street, and 150 Charles Street.^【2】 

^{Trump’s Special Representative Witkoff (}Anadolu Ajansı⁾

As of 2026, Steven Witkoff’s personal net worth is estimated at approximately $2 billion.^【3】  A member of the Forbes Billionaires List, Witkoff is also recognized as one of the leading voices in the sector, serving as Chairman of the Real Estate Advisory Board at the University of Miami’s Business School and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.^【4】 

The relationship between Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump began in the 1980s in Manhattan’s real estate market. Both men were actively involved in luxury residential, hotel, and commercial development projects during this period and met through overlapping professional circles.^【5】  This acquaintance evolved beyond a mere business relationship into a long-standing personal friendship.

Witkoff emerged as one of the few business figures who closely followed Trump’s rise in real estate and gradually earned his trust. Their relationship strengthened particularly during crisis periods; while many of Trump’s political allies and donors distanced themselves after his loss in the 2020 presidential election, Witkoff remained by his side.^【6】 

During Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, Witkoff did not assume an official political position but remained within the president’s inner circle, maintaining direct contact with campaign managers and senior advisors.^【7】  His ties with the Trump family also deepened during this time, particularly with Donald Trump Jr., with whom he developed a close friendship. In public statements, Trump Jr. described Witkoff as “not only one of the most extraordinary businesspeople of this generation but also one of the most honest individuals you could ever know”.^【8】 

With the beginning of Trump’s second presidential term, this personal trust translated into formal appointments. In November 2024, Witkoff was appointed Special Representative for the Middle East, a choice that drew attention in Washington due to his lack of traditional diplomatic credentials. In announcing the appointment, Trump described Witkoff as “an unwavering voice for peace”.^【9】 

Trump’s confidence in Witkoff quickly led to an expansion of his responsibilities. Following his performance in facilitating the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in January 2025, he was named Special Representative for Peace Missions in July 2025, thereby bringing the Russia–Ukraine War and Iran nuclear negotiations directly under his purview.

Witkoff works in near-daily contact with Trump and is among the rare individuals with direct access to the Oval Office. According to White House sources, Trump frequently consults Witkoff’s assessments over those of traditional institutions and treats him as a representative authorized to speak on his behalf.^【11】 

Despite having no formal diplomatic background, Witkoff has become one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration. Operating in strategic areas typically reserved for the Secretary of State or CIA directors, Witkoff enjoys direct access to the Oval Office due to his decades-long personal friendship with Trump. His role is often compared to that of Jared Kushner during Trump’s first term. Traveling the world on his private jet and receiving no salary from the government, Witkoff operates under the identity of an “outsider dealmaker”.^【12】 

^{Image of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaking at a rally in Tel Aviv (}Anadolu Ajansı⁾

In November 2024, Steve Witkoff was appointed by Donald Trump as the United States Special Representative for the Middle East. This appointment was made despite Witkoff’s lack of any prior experience in foreign affairs or public diplomacy, grounded instead in Trump’s long-standing personal trust in him.

Upon assuming office, Witkoff took an active role in managing conflicts along the Israel–Hamas front and in securing the ceasefire in Gaza. In January 2025, he served as the primary representative on the ground for Trump during negotiations leading to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

During this period, he maintained close contact with Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, coordinating diplomatic talks among the mediating nations.

In July 2025, Witkoff’s responsibilities were expanded and he was appointed Special Representative for Peace Missions. With this new mandate, his portfolio extended beyond the Middle East to include other global crisis areas. In this capacity, Witkoff has served as Trump administration’s chief negotiator in talks aimed at ending the Russia–Ukraine War, in nuclear negotiations with Iran, and in implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.

Witkoff has become one of the few individuals to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Kremlin officials. His visits to Moscow and discussions with Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov have formed a significant part of U.S.–Russia diplomatic engagement.

During a five-hour meeting at the Kremlin, long-term and peaceful solutions to the Ukraine crisis were discussed. According to Russian sources, the talks were conducted on a constructive and informative basis, with both sides focusing on a sustainable resolution rather than short-term ceasefire approaches.

Rather than examining each individual point of previously submitted American documents and proposals, the discussions centered on the overall approach and fundamental principles of these texts. While limited areas of agreement emerged on certain issues, significant differences persisted on critical matters, particularly regarding territorial questions. Kremlin sources emphasized that while parts of the American proposals were “open to discussion,” some formulations were deemed unacceptable by Russia.^【13】 

In addition to the 27-point document presented by the United States, four additional documents were submitted, indicating that the negotiation process was being advanced through alternative scenarios rather than a single unified plan.^【14】 

Another key point highlighted by Ushakov was the mutual agreement between the parties not to disclose the content of the negotiations to the public. Simultaneously, the exchange of political messages aimed at building trust between Washington and Moscow demonstrated that communication channels remained open and were not severed.

Witkoff’s portfolio later expanded to include nuclear negotiations with Iran. He participated in talks held in Rome on behalf of the United States, a move widely interpreted as a concrete demonstration of the Trump administration’s decision to handle the Iran file through its special representative model rather than traditional diplomatic channels.^【15】 

In Witkoff’s engagements, issues extended beyond merely limiting nuclear activities to include uranium enrichment levels, ballistic missile capacity, oversight of Iran’s nuclear material stockpiles, and Tehran’s network of regional proxy forces.^【16】 

Another key element emphasized by Witkoff is the simultaneous pursuit of diplomacy and deterrence. The Trump administration has clearly stated that military options remain on the table, while consistently signaling that diplomatic solutions remain the priority.^【17】 

Additionally, following reports of mass executions of Iranian protesters, the U.S. administration publicly confirmed that direct contact had been established with Iranian officials and that the execution process in question had been halted.^【18】 

Witkoff’s diplomatic roles are conducted outside the framework of traditional ambassadorships or State Department structures. According to White House sources, Witkoff receives no salary from the U.S. government. He conducts official travel on his private jet and reports directly to President Trump during his missions.

^{Steve Witkoff’s Announcement of the 20-Point Plan on His Official X Account (}X⁾

On January 14, 2026, Witkoff announced, on behalf of President Donald Trump, the launch of the second phase of the Gaza diplomacy initiative. The cornerstone of this phase is the Gaza Strip’s administration, entrusted to the Palestinian Technocratic Committee (Gaza Management National Committee), led by Dr. Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath.^【19】 

The second phase of the plan aims to strengthen the ceasefire, fully demilitarize the region, and initiate a reconstruction process under civilian governance. Mediating nations including Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar welcomed the establishment of this committee and expressed a shared commitment that the process would reinforce stability in Gaza.^【20】