Steve Witkoff Has Transitioned From Development to Diplomacy

When Donald Trump needed a voice to humanize him to the masses, Steve Witkoff was there. When a second assassination attempt threatened Trump’s life while he was golfing, Steve Witkoff was there. And when a ceasefire deal pausing the conflict between Israel and Gaza emerged, once again, Steve Witkoff was there.

The real estate developer has seemingly been everywhere of political importance over the past six months. And now he’s hit the ground running within the Trump administration.

The businessman

Witkoff founded his eponymous firm in 1997, building it into one of the more prominent real estate companies in both New York and Florida. Prior to Witkoff, he was a co-founder of Stellar Management.

At various points in time, Witkoff’s portfolio has included dozens of properties, including international holdings. Notable acquisitions have included the Daily News building, the Woolworth Building, the Park Lane Hotel, 33 Maiden Lane and 111 Murray Street.

Despite his most recent entry into politics and international affairs, the developer still has projects in the works. The most prominent among them is the development of One High Line in Manhattan, which Witkoff and Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries took over from HFZ Capital. They recently landed a $1.15 billion loan for the two-tower project, which includes 236 condo units and a five-star hotel. As of the first half of last year, the developers said they already closed on more than $800 million in sales.

More recently, Witkoff and Ari Pearl’s PPG Development scored a $273 million loan for Shell Bay, a mixed-use luxury condo and hotel project in Broward County’s Hallendale Beach in Florida. Witkoff and Blavatnik’s Access are also working on redeveloping the Banyan Cay Resort site in West Palm Beach.

The world according to Steve

Before Witkoff even officially began his duties as Trump’s Middle East envoy, he was making waves on the other side of the globe. He played a role on the ground in the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, though the effort was led by negotiator Brett McGurk.

It’s not the only peace Witkoff assisted in brokering. Trump credited Witkoff with helping the then-candidate bury the hatchet with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In April, Trump publicly thanked Witkoff for facilitating a “great meeting” between the one-time political adversaries.

In July, Witkoff went to bat for Trump at the Republican National Convention, giving a speech designed to shed light on Trump’s humanity. Witkoff discussed how the candidate was there for him after one of his sons died from an opioid overdose.

And in September, Witkoff was golfing with Trump in West Palm Beach when a Secret Service agent opened fire on a man hiding along the perimeter of the course, preventing what appeared to be a potential assassination attempt.

For now, Witkoff is forging ahead with his Middle East diplomatic efforts. On Wednesday, he both met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and took a trip into Gaza, the most senior U.S. official to do so in years, according to the New York Times.

A day earlier, he was in Saudi Arabia, discussing a broader peace plan for the region.

Trump’s presidency isn’t even two weeks old, so we’ll be watching to see if the developer can maintain his pace and stamina in juggling diplomacy and development.