Steve Witkoff

Steven Charles Witkoff (born March 15, 1957) is an American real estate investor and former attorney who is the founder of the Witkoff Group. Since 2025, Witkoff has served as the United States special envoy to the Middle East and special envoy for peace missions. He has also acted as a de facto envoy to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, Witkoff earned a BA in political science and a JD from Hofstra University. After starting his career as a real estate attorney, he shifted to property development in New York and Miami. Witkoff acquired buildings in Manhattan, including the Daily News Building and the Woolworth Building. During the first Trump administration, Witkoff was a member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, created to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. During the second Trump administration, Witkoff has been a prominent negotiator in the Russia–Ukraine War where he was criticized for perceived pro-Russian positions in negotiations and for allegedly advising the Russian government on how to negotiate. Witkoff has also been active in negotiations in the Middle East. During his tenure in the second Trump administration, he and his family have maintained extensive business ties with Middle East governments, including through World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency firm founded by his sons and Trump family members, raising conflict of interest concerns. As of April 2026, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$2.3 billion. One year into his tenure in the second Trump administration, Witkoff had increased his wealth by 15%, primarily driven by his investments into World Liberty Financial.