| A New York real estate billionaire, Steven C. Witkoff, his wife, and his company have contributed more than $4 million to Trump and his fellow Republicans since the late 1990s. That support was apparently enough to earn Witkoff his current title of United States Special Envoy to the Middle East in Donald Trump’s White House despite having no diplomatic experience. His greenness is starting to show. Witkoff was part of the Signal chat on which senior Trump aides shared sensitive war plans, was widely blamed for torpedoing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and has been criticized for taking Russia’s side in its war against Ukraine. Witkoff and his business partners—including members of Trump’s family—have engaged with groups at cross purposes with the United States, including the sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and Abu Dhabi. |
March 2025: Witkoff Was Part Of Signal Chat In Which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Shared War Plans About U.S. Bombing Of Houthi Targets Across Yemen. According to The Atlantic, “The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen. I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing. […] On Tuesday, March 11, I received a connection request on Signal from a user identified as Michael Waltz. Signal is an open-source encrypted messaging service popular with journalists and others who seek more privacy than other text-messaging services are capable of delivering. […] Two days later—Thursday—at 4:28 p.m., I received a notice that I was to be included in a Signal chat group. It was called the ‘Houthi PC small group.’ […] The principals had apparently assembled. In all, 18 individuals were listed as members of this group, including various National Security Council officials; Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East and Ukraine negotiator; Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff; and someone identified only as ‘S M,’ which I took to stand for Stephen Miller.” [The Atlantic, 3/24/25]
1997-2023: Witkoff, His Wife, And His Company Contributed A Combined $4.4 Million To Republican Committees And Candidates
| Committee | Name | Employer | Occupation | Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friends of Senator D'Amato (1998 Committee) | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group |
7/21/1997 |
$500.00 |
|
| Friends of Giuliani Exploratory Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group LLC |
11/19/1999 |
$1,000.00 |
|
| Friends of Giuliani Exploratory Committee | Witkoff, Steve | Real Estate |
2/1/2000 |
$2,000.00 |
|
| Friends of Giuliani Exploratory Committee | Witkoff, Steve | Real Estate |
3/15/2000 |
$1,000.00 |
|
| Friends of Giuliani Exploratory Committee | Witkoff, Steve | Real Estate |
3/15/2000 |
-$1,000.00 |
|
| Bush-Cheney '04 Inc. | Witkoff, Lauren Mrs. | Homemaker |
11/14/2003 |
$2,000.00 |
|
| Bush-Cheney '04 Inc. | Witkoff, Steven C Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate Business Owner |
11/14/2003 |
$2,000.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Stephen Mr. | The Witkoff Group | President |
4/28/2004 |
$25,000.00 |
| Reynolds for Congress | The Witkoff Group | Witkoff Group | Partner |
4/19/2005 |
$2,100.00 |
| Reynolds for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Chairman |
4/19/2005 |
$2,100.00 |
| Reynolds for Congress | The Witkoff Group | Witkoff Group | Partner |
4/19/2005 |
$2,100.00 |
| Reynolds for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Chairman |
4/19/2005 |
$2,100.00 |
| Committee to Re-Elect Vito Fossella | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group LLC | Owner |
3/1/2006 |
$1,000.00 |
| Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee Inc. | Witkoff, Steven C Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Owner |
12/29/2006 |
$2,100.00 |
| Jerrys Political Action Commitee [sic] (Jerrys Pac) | Witkoff, Steven C | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
6/5/2007 |
$2,500.00 |
| Jerrys Political Action Commitee [sic] (Jerrys Pac) | Witkoff, Steven C | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
6/19/2007 |
$2,500.00 |
| Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Inc. | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Owner |
6/27/2007 |
$2,500.00 |
| Michael Rocque for Congress Committee | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group |
6/29/2007 |
$2,300.00 |
|
| Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Inc. | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Owner |
7/10/2007 |
$2,300.00 |
| Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Inc. | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Owner |
7/10/2007 |
-$2,300.00 |
| Michael Rocque for Congress Committee | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
12/31/2007 |
$2,300.00 |
| Michael Rocque for Congress Committee | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/15/2008 |
-$2,300.00 |
| Michael Rocque for Congress Committee | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/15/2008 |
$2,300.00 |
| Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Inc. | Witkoff, Steven C. Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Owner |
3/5/2008 |
-$2,300.00 |
| John McCain 2008 Inc. | Witkoff, Stephen Mr. | The Witkoff Group | President |
5/12/2008 |
$2,300.00 |
| McCain Victory 2008 | Witkoff, Stephen Mr. | The Witkoff Group | President |
5/12/2008 |
$2,300.00 |
| Romney for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/31/2011 |
$2,500.00 |
| Romney for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Founder |
11/4/2011 |
$2,500.00 |
| Romney for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
7/2/2012 |
$2,500.00 |
| Romney Victory Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
7/2/2012 |
$25,000.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
7/4/2012 |
$22,500.00 |
| Donald J. Trump for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/13/2016 |
$2,700.00 |
| Donald J. Trump for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/13/2016 |
$2,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/13/2016 |
$61,200.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/13/2016 |
$33,400.00 |
| Trump Victory | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/13/2016 |
$100,000.00 |
| Friends of John McCain Inc. | Witkoff, Stephen Mr | The Witkoff Group | President |
8/25/2016 |
$2,700.00 |
| Friends of John McCain Inc. | Witkoff, Stephen Mr | The Witkoff Group | President |
8/25/2016 |
$5,400.00 |
| Friends of John McCain Inc. | Witkoff, Stephen Mr | The Witkoff Group | President |
8/25/2016 |
$2,700.00 |
| Alabama Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| California Republican Party Federal Acct | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Illinois Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Kansas Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Mississippi Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.91 |
| Missouri Republican State Committee-Federal | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| North Dakota Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| NY Republican Federal Campaign Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican Federal Committee of Pennsylvania | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican Party of Arkansas | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican Party of Louisiana | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican Party of Virginia Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican Party of Wisconsin | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.91 |
| Trump Victory | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$100,000.00 |
| West Virginia Republican Party Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Wyoming Republican Party Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/30/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Connecticut Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/17/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| New Jersey Republican State Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/17/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| North Carolina Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/17/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican Party of Minnesota - Federal | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Real Estate | The Witkoff Group |
10/17/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| South Carolina Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/17/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Tennessee Republican Party Federal Election Account | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/17/2016 |
$4,761.90 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/1/2017 |
$101,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/1/2017 |
$101,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/1/2017 |
$12,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/1/2017 |
$33,900.00 |
| Donald J. Trump for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/27/2017 |
$2,700.00 |
| Donald J. Trump for President Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/27/2017 |
$2,700.00 |
| Trump Victory | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/27/2017 |
$94,400.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/1/2018 |
$101,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/1/2018 |
$101,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/1/2018 |
$33,900.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/1/2018 |
$101,700.00 |
| Bob Hugin for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Chairman/CEO |
6/19/2018 |
$2,700.00 |
| Bob Hugin for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Chairman/CEO |
6/19/2018 |
$2,700.00 |
| Bob Hugin for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Chairman/CEO |
6/19/2018 |
$2,700.00 |
| Bob Hugin for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Chairman/CEO |
6/19/2018 |
$2,700.00 |
| Rick Scott for Florida | Witkoff, Steven Mr | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/30/2018 |
$2,700.00 |
| Rick Scott for Florida | Witkoff, Steven Mr | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/30/2018 |
-$2,700.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/29/2019 |
$106,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/29/2019 |
$106,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/29/2019 |
$35,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/29/2019 |
$106,300.00 |
| Trump Victory | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/29/2019 |
$355,000.00 |
| Kevin McCarthy for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Chairman and CEO |
3/31/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Kevin McCarthy for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Chairman and CEO |
3/31/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Majority Committee PAC--MC PAC | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Founder |
3/31/2019 |
$5,000.00 |
| McCarthy Victory Fund | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Founder |
3/31/2019 |
$100,000.00 |
| NRCC | Witkoff, Stephen Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Information Requested Per Best Efforts |
3/31/2019 |
$35,500.00 |
| NRCC | Witkoff, Stephen Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Information Requested Per Best Efforts |
3/31/2019 |
$26,950.00 |
| Alabama Senate Republican Nominee Fund - Tommy Tuberville | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Alaskans for Dan Sullivan | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Alaskans for Dan Sullivan | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Ben Sasse for U.S. Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Ben Sasse for U.S. Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Bill Cassidy for US Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Bill Cassidy for US Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Capito for West Virginia | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Capito for West Virginia | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Cotton for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Cotton for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Friends of Daniel Gade | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Friends of Jim Inhofe | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Friends of Jim Inhofe | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Joni for Iowa | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Joni for Iowa | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Kansas Senate Republican Nominee Fund - Roger Marshall | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Liz Cheney for Wyoming | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Liz Cheney for Wyoming | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| McSally for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| McSally for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Minnesota Senate Republican Nominee Fund - Jason Lewis | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| New Hampshire Senate Republican Nominee Fund - Corky Messner | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Perdue for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Perdue for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Scalise for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Scalise for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Steve Daines for Montana | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Steve Daines for Montana | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Team Graham Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Team Graham Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Texans for Senator John Cornyn Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Texans for Senator John Cornyn Inc. | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| The Victory Club | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$140,000.00 |
| Wyoming Senate Republican Nominee Fund - Cynthia Lummis | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/17/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| McConnell Senate Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/31/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| McConnell Senate Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/31/2019 |
$2,800.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/13/2020 |
$106,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/13/2020 |
$106,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/13/2020 |
$35,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/13/2020 |
$106,500.00 |
| Trump Victory | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/13/2020 |
$355,000.00 |
| Elise for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Founder |
1/24/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Elise for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Founder |
1/24/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Rounds for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | Information Requested | Executive |
2/18/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Rounds for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | Information Requested | Executive |
2/18/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Salazar for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | CEO |
3/2/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Salazar for Congress | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | CEO |
3/2/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Thom Tillis Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/2/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Thom Tillis Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/2/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Majority Committee PAC--MC PAC | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Founder |
3/3/2020 |
$5,000.00 |
| NRCC | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/3/2020 |
$35,500.00 |
| NRCC | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/3/2020 |
$59,500.00 |
| Take Back The House 2020 | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/3/2020 |
$100,000.00 |
| Cindy Hyde-Smith for US Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/10/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Cindy Hyde-Smith for US Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/10/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| John James for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/16/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| John James for Senate Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
3/16/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Cory Gardner for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Whitkoff [sic] Group | Executive |
3/30/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Cory Gardner for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Whitkoff [sic] Group | Executive |
3/30/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Arizona Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Georgia Republican Party Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Illinois Republican Party - Federal | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Maine Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Michigan Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Montana Republican State Central Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Nebraska Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Nevada Republican Central Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| New Hampshire Republican State Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| North Carolina Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| NY Republican Federal Campaign Committee | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Ohio Republican Party State Central & Executive Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Federal Committee of Pennsylvania | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Florida | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Iowa | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Louisiana | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Virginia Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Wisconsin | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Trump Victory | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
6/22/2020 |
$220,000.00 |
| Collins for Senator | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
7/13/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Collins for Senator | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
7/13/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Colorado Republican Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/1/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Colorado Republican Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/4/2020 |
$0.00 |
| Republican Campaign Committee of New Mexico | Witkoff, Steven Mr.. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/4/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Kentucky | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/4/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Republican Party of Minnesota - Federal | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
9/4/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| Fund for America’s Future | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | CEO |
10/8/2020 |
$5,000.00 |
| Graham Victory 2020 | Witkoff, Steven |
10/8/2020 |
$15,000.00 |
||
| South Carolina Republican Party | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/19/2020 |
$10,000.00 |
| NRSC | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/22/2020 |
$35,500.00 |
| Perdue for Senate | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/22/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Senate Georgia Battleground Fund | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
12/22/2020 |
$41,100.00 |
| Georgians for Kelly Loeffler | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Chairman and CEO |
12/31/2020 |
$2,800.00 |
| Fund for America’s Future | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/17/2021 |
$5,000.00 |
| NRSC | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Executive |
5/17/2021 |
$9,200.00 |
| Save America | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/17/2021 |
$5,000.00 |
| Team Graham Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/17/2021 |
$2,900.00 |
| Team Graham Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/17/2021 |
$2,900.00 |
| Trump-Graham Majority Fund | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
5/17/2021 |
$25,000.00 |
| Ken Russell for Florida | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Capital | CEO |
6/30/2021 |
$2,900.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
11/16/2021 |
$36,500.00 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven Mr. | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
11/16/2021 |
$63,500.00 |
| Make America Great Again, Again! Inc. | The Witkoff Group Llc |
1/29/2022 |
$16,903.51 |
||
| Make America Great Again, Again! Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
1/29/2022 |
$16,903.51 |
| Republican National Committee | Witkoff, Steven | Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
3/22/2022 |
$36,500.00 |
| Make America Great Again Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
10/1/2022 |
$26,682.76 |
| Make America Great Again Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
11/3/2022 |
$24,228.79 |
| Never Surrender Inc. | Witkoff, Steve | Witkoff | CEO |
5/1/2023 |
$3,300.00 |
| Never Surrender Inc. | Witkoff, Steve | Witkoff | CEO |
5/1/2023 |
$3,300.00 |
| Save America | Witkoff, Steve | Witkoff | CEO |
5/1/2023 |
$5,000.00 |
| Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee | Witkoff, Steve | Witkoff | CEO |
5/1/2023 |
$11,600.00 |
| Make America Great Again Inc. | Witkoff, Steven | The Witkoff Group | Real Estate |
12/27/2023 |
$250,000.00 |
| TOTAL |
$4,401,768.49 |
[Federal Election Commission, viewed 5/1/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Praised Russian President Vladimir Putin As A “Very Smart Guy” And Said That He Did Not “Regard Putin As A Bad Guy.” According to ABC News, “In his interview on Carlson, Witkoff was effusive in his praise for Putin, calling him a 'very smart guy' and noting Putin told him he had prayed for Trump after the assassination attempt against him during last year’s presidential campaign. Witkoff added that Putin had given him a portrait of Trump which he says the Russian leader had commissioned from a famous Russian artist. 'This is the kind of connection that we've been able to reestablish through a simple word called communication, which many people would say I shouldn't have had because Putin is a bad guy. I don't regard Putin as a bad guy,' Witkoff said.” [ABC News, 3/24/25]
February 2025: Witkoff Said He Was Developing A Friendship With Putin. According to The New York Times, "Mr. Witkoff is the first senior U.S. official to meet with Mr. Putin since before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The Biden administration cut off contact with Mr. Putin and accused Russia of committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Mr. Witkoff seemed to have been at ease with the Russian leader during their first meeting, saying at an investment conference in Miami last month that he had spent the session 'developing a friendship, a relationship' with Mr. Putin.” [New York Times, 3/13/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Repeated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Unsupported Claim That Russian Forces Surrounded A Significant Number Of Ukrainian Troops In Russia’s Kursk Region. According to ABC News, “Witkoff also repeated an unsupported claim made by Putin that Russian forces have surrounded a significant number of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk region. Although Ukraine was forced to retreat from Kursk earlier this month, no evidence has emerged to suggest many Ukrainian soldiers are encircled, and both independent researchers and Ukrainian officials have said it is false.” [ABC News, 3/24/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Said Russia “Does Not Need To Absorb Ukraine,” Had “Gotten What They Want” In Ukraine, And Did Not Want To Invade Europe. According to ABC News, “Witkoff also told Carlson he believed Russia 'does not need to absorb Ukraine,' saying, 'They've gotten what they want. So why do they need more?' He also said he '100%' believes Russia does not want to invade Europe, saying he took Putin 'at his word' on that.” [ABC News, 3/24/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Touted The Referenda Russia Held In Parts Of Ukraine To Justify Its Seizure Of Land There. According to ABC News, "The comments, in which Witkoff seemed to accept the results of sham referenda Russia has previously held in Ukraine to justify its seizure of land there -- including Crimea, will likely feed fears among European allies that the Trump administration is leaning too far toward the Kremlin's vision. […] Talking about Putin's claims to the regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, Witkoff suggested Russia had a right to them because they were majority Russian-speaking and repeated a false Kremlin claim that fair referenda there showed residents wanted to be absorbed by Russia. 'They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule,’ Witkoff told Carlson.” [ABC News, 3/24/25]
February 2025: Witkoff Said Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine “Was Provoked.” According to The New York Times, "Speaking on CNN last month, he said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 'was provoked,' adding: 'It doesn’t necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians.' The comment reflected the view, now common on both the far left and far right, that America forced Mr. Putin into military action by gradually expanding the NATO alliance deep into Eastern Europe, and by proposing to make Ukraine a member. " [New York Times, 3/13/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Parroted Russian Disinformation And Suggested They Had A Right To Conquer Parts Of Ukraine. According to ABC News, "Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy and lead negotiator tasked with ending the war in Ukraine, has attracted criticism in Europe and Ukraine after an interview where he appeared to back a number of well-known Kremlin talking points on the conflict. The comments, in which Witkoff seemed to accept the results of sham referenda Russia has previously held in Ukraine to justify its seizure of land there -- including Crimea, will likely feed fears among European allies that the Trump administration is leaning too far toward the Kremlin's vision." [ABC News, 3/24/25]
2018: Witkoff Criticized Western Sanctions Against Russia After It Annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula And Interfered In The U.S. Election In 2016. According to The New York Times, "In 2018, Mr. Witkoff also criticized Western economic sanctions against Russia, imposed after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and tried to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. 'I never understood the Russian sanctions, candidly, because all it did was stop Russian investment into this country,' he said in a podcast interview. " [The New York Times, 3/13/25]
March 2025: Lithuania’s Former Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis Said Witkoff’s “Repeating Lies About ‘Russian-Speakers’ Wanting To ‘Join Russia’ Is Truly Chilling.” According to ABC News, "Witkoff made the remarks on the Russian referenda a day before a new round of talks between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia aimed at trying to make progress toward ending the war. His portrayal of the referenda as legitimate triggered some fierce criticism in Europe. 'Witkoff's repeating of Kremlin lies about 'russian-speakers' [sic] wanting to 'join Russia' is truly chilling,' Lithuania's former foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, wrote on X. 'Hearing Americans talk like this should be an electric shock for Europe, not a wakeup call.’” [ABC News, 3/24/25]
March 2025: Oleksandr Merezhko, Head Of The Ukrainian Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Said Witkoff Was “Relaying Russian Propaganda.” According to ABC News, "Some Ukrainian members of parliament also condemned Witkoff's comments. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the statements were 'shocking.' 'I don't understand what this is about -- ignorance, naivety, unprofessionalism?' said Merezhko, who suggested Witkoff should be removed from his negotiating role. 'Because we are talking about a representative of the president, who should professionally understand this issue and know some basic things. And he doesn't know this. He is relaying Russian propaganda.' " [ABC News, 3/24/25]
April 2025: Institut Of Montaigne Non-Resident Fellow Bruno Tertrais Said Witkoff Was “Presenting A Final Peace Plan” That Was Very Favorable “To The Aggressor,” Russia, “Even Before The Start Of The Negotiations.” According to The Guardian, “The talks in Paris last week between Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, and European leaders also gave Europe a chance to point out it was Putin that was stalling over a ceasefire. But instead of putting any countervailing pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire, Witkoff switched strategy. In the words of Bruno Tertrais, a non-resident fellow at the Institut of Montaigne, Witkoff is ‘is now presenting a final peace plan, very favourable to the aggressor, even before the start of the negotiations, which had been due to take place after a ceasefire’.” [The Guardian, 4/25/25]
April 2025: The New York Post Reported That An Unnamed Member Of Trump’s First Administration Called Witkoff A “Bumbling F–king Idiot” Over His Meeting With Putin. According to the New York Post, "President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, former real estate attorney and investor Steve Witkoff, has left administration insiders distressed by his approach to negotiating with two of America’s greatest adversaries. Witkoff, who has become Trump’s de facto personal ambassador to Russian President Vladimir Putin in addition to taking on the Middle East portfolio, takes part in high-level meetings alone — and is said to have even occasionally leaned on Kremlin translators — in a break with longstanding diplomatic procedure, multiple sources told The Post.... A member of Trump’s first administration was more succinct. 'Nice guy, but a bumbling f–king idiot,' this person said of Witkoff. 'He should not be doing this alone.’” [New York Post, 4/30/25]
2011: Witkoff Submitted A Recommendation For Anatoly Golubchik’s Application To Live In A Condominium Building At 971 Madison Ave. In New York. According to The Real Deal, “Real estate mogul Steve Witkoff, whose company is behind glitzy new condos at 10 Madison Park and 150 Charles Street, has a reputation for not being shy about betting the rent in his business ventures. And now there’s evidence that he’s a bit of a risk-taker in his personal life, too. New documents obtained by The Real Deal show Witkoff submitted a recommendation for indicted Russian mobster Anatoly Golubchik more than two years ago when he applied to live in a condominium building at 971 Madison Avenue.” [Real Deal, 5/10/13]
April 30, 2014: Golubchik Was Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Participating In A Racketeering Conspiracy In Connection With His Role In The Russian Mafia. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office via the FBI, “Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANATOLY GOLUBCHIK was sentenced yesterday in Manhattan federal court to five years in prison, and VADIM TRINCHER was also sentenced today to five years in prison for participating in a racketeering conspiracy in connection with their roles as members of a Russian-American organized crime enterprise. GOLUBCHIK and TRINCHER were also each ordered to forfeit more than $20 million in cash, investments, and real property. They were charged in April 2013 along with 32 other alleged members and associates of two Russian-American organized crime enterprises in an indictment that included racketeering, money laundering, extortion, and various gambling offenses.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office, 4/30/14]
March 2025: Witkoff Was Blamed For The Breakdown Of The Ceasefire Between Israel And Hamas. According to The Guardian, “Israel has cut off humanitarian supplies to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting a change in the ceasefire agreement to allow for the release of hostages without an Israeli troop withdrawal. The office of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Sunday it was imposing a blockade on Gaza because Hamas would not accept a plan which it claimed had been put forward by the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to extend phase one of the ceasefire and continue to release hostages, and postpone phase two, which envisaged an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. 'With the end of phase one of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the Witkoff outline for continuing talks – to which Israel agreed – Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will cease. Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,' it said in a statement. 'If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences.'" [The Guardian, 3/2/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Said He Thought “We Had An Acceptable Deal” With Hamas For A Ceasefire With Israel And That, “Maybe That’s Just Me Getting Duped.” According to New York Post, "On March 12, Witkoff left meetings with Hamas representatives in Qatar believing he had a deal in principle. The cease-fire would be extended by another month, with the terror group releasing five living hostages in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners. Two days later, Hamas countered: It would release one living US hostage taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, along with the bodies of four others. Witkoff turned down the offer out of hand and the cease-fire collapsed four days later. 'I thought we had an acceptable deal,' a befuddled-sounding Witkoff told 'Fox News Sunday' March 23. 'I even thought we had an approval from Hamas. Maybe that’s just me getting duped. I thought we were there, and evidently we weren’t.’” [New York Post, 4/30/25]
March 2025: Witkoff Said Hamas Was Not “Ideologically Locked In” And Were “Not Ideologically Intractable.” According to The Times of Israel, “Still, Witkoff went back to the importance of understanding Hamas’s motivations. 'You have to know what Hamas wants… and then you’ve got to figure out what you can give them that allows them to walk out because that’s what’s needed here,' he said. 'What we heard in the beginning of this conflict is Hamas is ideological, that they’re prepared to die for a whole variety of reasons. I personally — and I talk to the president about this… I said to him, ‘I don’t think that they are as ideologically locked in’. They’re not ideologically intractable. I never believed that,' Witkoff maintained. ‘They strap the suicide vest onto young kids who don’t know what they’re doing… They tell them a story. 'Once you understand that [Hamas] wanted to live, then you were able to talk to them in a more effective way,’ he argued. Pressed on how he reached this conclusion about Hamas, Witkoff said he has read lots of US intelligence reports and also felt 'the rhythm and the cadence of the negotiation.’” [Times of Israel, 3/22/25]
World Liberty Financial Listed Donald Trump As Its “Chief Crypto Advocate” And Trump’s Sons Eric Trump And Donald Trump Jr. As “Promoters.” According to The New York Times, "In a late October filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the founders of World Liberty Financial listed Eric Trump, along with his brother, Donald J. Trump Jr., as 'promoters' of the crypto platform. President-elect Trump is named, on a separate document, as the company’s 'chief crypto advocate.’” [New York Times, 12/5/24]
Justin Sun, A Chinese-Born Cryptocurrency Entrepreneur, Invested In World Liberty Financial. According to The New York Times, "World Liberty Financial was created, in part, by Mr. Trump’s close friend, Steven Witkoff, a New York City real-estate executive who Mr. Trump has said he intends to appoint as his new Middle East envoy. It’s not clear what the platform will ultimately look like. The president-elect and his business partners have marketed it as a portal for traders to invest in cryptocurrencies and use those assets for borrowing and lending. Though the platform hasn’t officially launched, the company this fall began selling a digital currency called WLFI. One outside investment has already come to World Liberty Financial from Justin Sun, a Chinese-born cryptocurrency entrepreneur. " [The New York Times, 12/5/24]
2023: The Securities And Exchange Commission Sued Sun Claiming He Fraudulently Manipulated The Price Of His Cryptocurrency By Rapidly Buying And Selling It To Make It Appear As If It Was Being Actively Traded. According to The New York Times, "The S.E.C. sued Mr. Sun last year, claiming that he fraudulently manipulated the price of his own cryptocurrency by rapidly buying and selling it to make it appear as if it was being actively traded. The company has disputed those accusations, asserting the government is overstepping its authority. " [New York Times, 12/5/24]
World Liberty Financial Partnered With Tron, A Crypto Platform That Was Cheaper Than Bitcoin And Had Been Used By Terrorist Organizations Such As Hamas And Hezbollah. According to Reuters, "A crypto venture recently unveiled by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his new Middle East envoy, billionaire Steve Witkoff, has partnered with a crypto platform that authorities and financial experts say has been used by criminals and Iran-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. World Liberty Financial Inc, founded by the Witkoff family two months before November’s U.S. election with Trump as a financial beneficiary , presents concerns over ethics and conflicts of interest, say six specialists in U.S. government ethics. Among their biggest concerns is World Liberty’s new partner: Tron crypto platform. Quicker and cheaper than Bitcoin, the Tron network has overtaken its rival as a vehicle for crypto transfers associated with groups designated as terror organizations by Israel, the United States and other countries, Reuters reported in 2023 , citing interviews with seven financial crime experts and cryptocurrency investigations specialists. Tron announced last month it was investing $30 million in World Liberty. Tron’s founder, Chinese-born entrepreneur Justin Sun, will join the Trump-Witkoff venture as an advisor, Sun and World Liberty said on social media platform X. The British Virgin Islands-registered Tron is now World Liberty’s largest investor, Sun said. " [Reuters, 12/12/24]
September 2024: Trump And His Family And Business Associates Participated In The Launch Of World Liberty, Which Lists Trump And His Three Sons, Donald Jr., Eric, And Barron, As “Web3 Ambassadors.”
According to Reuters, "World Liberty’s connection with Trump features heavily on the company’s website. A picture of Trump, ear bandaged after the July assassination attempt on him, greets visitors on the home page. The first people listed as members of the World Liberty team are Trump and his three sons, Don Jr., Eric and Barron, who are described as 'Web3 ambassadors.' Trump himself, along with relatives and associates, unveiled the business during a live event on X in September. Don Jr. and Barron did not respond to requests for comment. Through World Liberty, Trump and his family could also benefit from possible regulatory changes that his administration makes involving crypto, the experts said. During the campaign, Trump vowed to name a new SEC chair to replace Gary Gensler, who took on the crypto industry with various lawsuits. Last week, he tapped crypto-friendly Washington lawyer Paul Atkins for the role. Witkoff’s sons, Alex and Zach, are also listed as co-founders of World Liberty. They did not respond to requests for comment. Eric Trump told Reuters he is 'very involved' in World Liberty.” [Reuters, 12/12/24]
2019-2023: Witkoff Was Saved From Financial Trouble By Investments From Qatar And Abu Dhabi. According to The New York Times, "The year was 2018 and Mr. Witkoff’s co-investor in a Manhattan hotel project had been indicted by the Justice Department on fraud charges. A plan to convert the hotel into luxury condominiums was also on hold. But there was a two-part rescue of sorts from the kind of real estate angels that New York property investors have increasingly turned to. First, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund expanded its stake in the troubled hotel, Park Lane, which sits at the southern edge of Central Park. Then, in an even more crucial move, the Qatar Investment Authority last year dispatched $623 million as a leveraged buyout of Mr. Witkoff and his partners. The transactions — involving two oil-rich sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East — are a hint of the enormous flow of dollars pouring into U.S. real estate firms from entities associated with countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. For Mr. Witkoff, it will create complications as he takes up his new job and will soon be negotiating with leaders of nations that are past, and potentially future, lenders to or buyers of his family real estate projects.” [New York Times, 11/25/24]
2018: Witkoff’s Partner In The Park Lane Hotel, Jho Low, Was Indicted On Charges Of Embezzling Billions Of Dollars From Malaysia’s Investment Development Fund And Using It On Investments, Including The Park Lane Project. According to The New York Times, “When Mrs. Helmsley’s estate decided in 2013 to sell the building, Mr. Witkoff joined with the Malaysian financier Jho Low and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund to buy it for $660 million, of which $135 million came from Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s fund, court records show. […] Things quickly went awry with this plan. First, the Manhattan luxury condo market took a downturn, and by 2016 Mr. Witkoff put the conversion plans on hold. Two years later, Mr. Low was indicted by the Justice Department on charges of embezzling billions of dollars from 1MBD, Malaysia’s investment development fund, and for using some of this money to make his own investments, including his share of the Park Lane Hotel. Other alleged corrupt investments by Mr. Low included a $27 million pink diamond necklace and even his role in backing Hollywood films like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ according to the Justice Department.” [New York Times, 11/25/24]