President-elect Donald Trump has made another move to fill out his administration with his choice to appoint Steve Witkoff as the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East.
Witkoff is far from an establishment politician or lifetime government worker. He’s been a friend of Trump for more than 20 years and has amassed a real estate fortune, much like the president-elect.
In Trump’s announcement of Witkoff as a critical new staff member, he piled praise on him.
“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,” the announcement on Tuesday evening said. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”
Witkoff has had prominent speaking roles for the Trump campaign well before joining his administration. The real estate magnate made appearances at the Republican National Convention, Trump’s second Butler, Pennsylvania, rally, and his Madison Square Garden rally.
“I’m not just here as a speaker, but I am a dear friend of the president and someone who had the privilege of knowing President Trump personally, witnessing his strength and commitment to our nation,” Witkoff said at the second Butler rally.
“He embodies the leadership we need in these times for our nation.”
Witkoff was golfing with Trump when a gunman hiding in the course’s shrubs nearly took a shot at the president-elect in Trump’s second assassination attempt. Neither the gunman nor the golfing pair were hurt.
Trump’s friend was also a major donor to the president-elect’s campaign and helped fundraise for him among Jewish donors.
Potentially in return for his work, Witkoff will lead Trump’s inauguration committee along with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, dealing with the presidential inaugural ceremony and activities connected with the event.
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In Witkoff’s new role, he will travel to the Middle East and advise Trump on the region’s issues.
President Joe Biden has at least two staff members who serve prominent roles in consulting him on the Middle East. Amos Hochstein, who advises Biden on Lebanon and other areas in the Middle East, and Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues Lise Grande, who was appointed to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.