Trump's pick for Middle East envoy a 'prominent' fundraiser — and staunch Netanyahu ally

A longtime Donald Trump friend, golf buddy and investor has been named as the new special envoy to the Middle East, Reuters reported Tuesday afternoon, and early reactions on social media noted he's pro-Israel, with one critic openly wondering if he'll facilitate a "water front housing development in Gaza."

Steve Witkoff is an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington Post diplomacy reporter John Hudson recalled. Witkoff "attended Netanyahu's speech to Congress in July and criticized Democrats for not supporting Bibi," said Hudson.

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“It felt spiritual,” Witkoff said at the time, “and yet, that’s not the reaction you sense that you were getting from many of those Democrats," Witkoff told Fox Business.

Journalist Ragip Soylu, who reports on Turkey, posted on X, "Guess he will facilitate the water front housing development in Gaza which had been proposed by [Jared] Kushner."

Witkoff also raised money for Trump's 2024 campaign, Bloomberg TV's Annmarie Hordern pointed out.

He is "the founder of the Witkoff Group, was a prominent fundraiser for Trump during the last election cycle. The Witkoff family’s real estate company, led by Steven Witkoff and his son Alex, is a major developer in New York, with projects including luxury condos in Manhattan," she posted on X.

Speaking to the Republican National Convention this summer, Witkoff described Trump as a hugger and someone filled with compassion.