A longtime friend of former President Donald Trump and a real estate industry investor, Steve Witkoff, along with his partner and son, Zach Witkoff, spoke on Thursday evening before Trump formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee.
Zach spoke briefly, most notably sharing a fun anecdote about Donald Trump dancing at his wedding until 3 a.m.– while doing his signature moves that MAGA supporters have become familiar with at rallies.
The elder Witkoff, whose company is based in New York and Florida, has shown himself to be a strong ally to Trump, testifying in the Manhattan business fraud trial, on charges brought by Soros District Attorney Alvin Bragg and tried by Judge Arthur Engoron.
In fact, he was the first witness Trump’s legal team called to take the stand. He recounted for the court the charming story of how he and Donald Trump became friends:
On the stand Witkoff recalled the origins of his budding friendship with Trump, which apparently started at a New York City deli in 1986 after the pair had worked on a transaction together.
“I ordered him a ham and swiss,” Witkoff said, remembering that Trump had no cash on him at the time.
Seven or eight years later he ran into Trump, who remembered “the sandwich incident,” Witkoff testified. The two became friends after that; Witkoff even advised Trump on tax breaks during his presidency.
Readers may remember that some of the testimony of several expert witnesses were denied by Engoron, on the valuation of Trump’s properties. Steve Witkoff was one of them.
Trump’s speech follows Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Senator JD Vance, speaking on Wednesday.
WATCH: JD Vance Delivers Passionate Speech at the RNC, Shows Why He’s the Epitome of the American Dream
More on a connection between Witkoff and Vance in a bit.
American investor and business model Steve Witkoff knows President Trump well.
Listen to this personal story he shared about Elvis’ American Trilogy. @witkoffgroup #RNC2024 pic.twitter.com/Z1gqH5yjyS
— Turning Point Action (@TPAction_) July 19, 2024
On Thursday, Steve Witkoff, began by referring to the walk-out music:
“That song that you just heard was “American Trilogy” by Elvis. It was playing for a reason.
A lot of people don’t know this about my dear friend, President Trump, but he’s a big music guy–and he’s got a playlist and he’s the deejay, wherever he goes.
See, I stand before you tonight, not just as a speaker, not just someone who came up as a builder–with the president, in the world of real estate–but as someone who has had the profound privilege of calling Pres. Donald J. Trump a true and dear friend for many, many years, in good times and bad times.
And of all the songs, all the songs he has shared with me over the years, that is the song that best captures him–especially those words, “His truth is marching on.”
After a brief pause as the crowd applauded, he recounted the greeting he received when he called Trump, after news broke about the rally shooting. Instead of a voice mail, Witkoff said, he heard, “Hi, Steve. I’m really glad you called. How are you? How are your kids?”
“It surprised me, but shouldn’t have,” he said, “I know this man very well.”
Later in the speech, he recalled how Trump showed his true friendship “when [he] lost [his] boy Andrew to an opioid overdose,” even extending an invitation for him to speak at a White House conference on opioids. He said his friend encouraged him to tell his son’s story.
Here were his heartfelt remarks about his boy to then-President Trump during the 2018 event at the White House:
Steve Witkoff to President @realDonaldTrump during Opioid Summit: “I remember the hug you gave me when I always felt lost.” https://t.co/0uJNhKGCqw pic.twitter.com/W53nj7vqRx
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 1, 2018
“I have seen his humanity in the quiet moments, away from the spotlight,” he said:
Steve Witkoff: “Many Americans have only witnessed his leadership on TV. But I have seen his humanity in the quiet moments…in hospital rooms he didn’t have to be in…that’s who he is…when he has everything to lose and nothing to gain, Donald Trump shows up.” pic.twitter.com/f80GyhB44p
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) July 19, 2024
During the convention speech, Witkoff also spoke about the compassion his late son once showed to a group of homeless people who lived near their home in Manhattan. And they remembered him after he passed away. Witkoff also mentioned that he gave Andrew’s guitar to Trump as a memento and sign of gratitude for his steadfast friendship in a dark hour.
Watching CNN Watching live the RNC. The man speaking is talking about how he lost his son to opiates. Steve Witkoff is his name. and how Trump has stood by his side honoring his son by displaying his son’s beloved guitar in Trumps west Palm beach property.
— FoxxyBooks is for Trump2024 (@BooksBiden) July 19, 2024
Steve Witkoff continued with a bittersweet sentiment: “His mom and I only hear the chords of memory now.”
As he closed his remarks, he called it “a dark hour for America,” but urged Americans to put their trust in the man who had been a light for him and his family, and return Donald Trump to the White House.
The real estate investor might have provided a helping hand in the new GOP ticket coming together; Politico reported that it was Witkoff’s private plane that ferried Vance to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday:
Two days before Donald Trump named J.D. Vance as his running mate, the Ohio senator boarded real estate titan Steve Witkoff’s G6 Gulfstream jet. His destination: Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
As RedState reported in April, Witkoff also put together the meet-up between Trump and one of his former primary opponents, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Sounds like something a good and loyal friend would do.
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