CENTCOM has confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces completed the first phase withdrawal to the yellow line at 12PM local time. The 72 hour period to release the hostages has begun.
My heart is heavy with the loss of my dear friend, Charlie Kirk. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his wife, Erika, their two young children, his parents, and all who loved him.
Over the past three years, I was fortunate to know Charlie and to build a wonderful friendship with him. He supported me with his characteristic steadfastness. I will deeply miss his thoughtfulness, encouragement, and insight.
The world has lost an extraordinary human being, one who believed passionately in the power of positive communication to serve the greater good. His legacy will remain a guiding light for us all.
Rest in peace, my dear friend. You will be profoundly missed.
This story from Politico is journalistic malpractice. But it's more than that: it's a foreign influence operation meant to hurt the administration and one of our most effective members.
Notice how all of the people attacking Steve are on background? That means it's two or three deep staters who are angry that Witkoff has succeeded where they've failed.
You know what this "reporter" left out to make room for anonymous quotes?
The full quote from the sitting vice president, on the record.
A quote from the secretary of the state, on the record.
A quote from Jared Kushner, on the record.
The full quote from the UK's Jonathan Powell, one of the most respected national security people in the Western World, who defended Steve vigorously from these malicious smears.
The person who wrote this garbage is @felschwartz. Aside from the failure to include on the record information directly contradicting her reporting, I wonder if she ever asked herself why these anonymous sources came to her at this moment with this particular story. They have an agenda to blow up the president's efforts to make peace, and they saw her as a useful vessel to launder garbage into the conversation, truth be damned.
There are two possible explanations: Felicia is just not very smart, and allowed herself to be used by deep state con men. Or she's in on it, and used her position to willingly participate in a literal foreign influence operation. Either way, it's disgraceful.
To set the record straight: Steve Witkoff is an invaluable member of our team. He did not mislead anyone on what the Russians told him and what the Russians conceded. (Trust me, I've seen the intel.) The fruits of his negotiations are that we have narrowed the list of open issues in the Russia-Ukraine war to a set of clearly defined issues--specifically, security guarantees and territorial concessions.
Maybe we make peace, and maybe we don't. If we do, it will be because Steve Witkoff and the President of the United States worked their tails off, in the face of outright lies from the mainstream press.
This story from Politico is journalistic malpractice. But it's more than that: it's a foreign influence operation meant to hurt the administration and one of our most effective members.
Notice how all of the people attacking Steve are on background? That means it's two or three deep staters who are angry that Witkoff has succeeded where they've failed.
You know what this "reporter" left out to make room for anonymous quotes?
The full quote from the sitting vice president, on the record.
A quote from the secretary of the state, on the record.
A quote from Jared Kushner, on the record.
The full quote from the UK's Jonathan Powell, one of the most respected national security people in the Western World, who defended Steve vigorously from these malicious smears.
The person who wrote this garbage is @felschwartz. Aside from the failure to include on the record information directly contradicting her reporting, I wonder if she ever asked herself why these anonymous sources came to her at this moment with this particular story. They have an agenda to blow up the president's efforts to make peace, and they saw her as a useful vessel to launder garbage into the conversation, truth be damned.
There are two possible explanations: Felicia is just not very smart, and allowed herself to be used by deep state con men. Or she's in on it, and used her position to willingly participate in a literal foreign influence operation. Either way, it's disgraceful.
To set the record straight: Steve Witkoff is an invaluable member of our team. He did not mislead anyone on what the Russians told him and what the Russians conceded. (Trust me, I've seen the intel.) The fruits of his negotiations are that we have narrowed the list of open issues in the Russia-Ukraine war to a set of clearly defined issues--specifically, security guarantees and territorial concessions.
Maybe we make peace, and maybe we don't. If we do, it will be because Steve Witkoff and the President of the United States worked their tails off, in the face of outright lies from the mainstream press.
I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience. His return gives hope to so many. We also had the opportunity to speak with @POTUS, whose leadership made this possible. We remain committed to bringing every last hostage home.
"We’re never doing a JCPOA deal where sanctions come off & there’s no sunsetting of their obligations...We believe that they cannot have enrichment, they cannot have centrifuges, they cannot have anything that allows them to build a weapon" -@SteveWitkoff
https://t.co/nNpZGHOVyU
Following recent discussions and contacts conducted by the Sultanate of Oman with the United States and the relevant authorities in Sana'a, in the Republic of Yemen, with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides. In the future, neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping. The Sultanate of Oman expresses its gratitude to both parties for their constructive approach that led to this welcome outcome, and hopes that it will lead to further progress on many regional issues towards achieving justice, peace, and prosperity for all.
Message to IRAN:
We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing.
You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing.
“There isn't even a kernel of truth to this story - Politico was played by their "sources" yet again. It's embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap.”
-Ambassador Witkoff
“A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal. Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East -- meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program. It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do.”
- Ambassador Witkoff
Powerful evening with Steven Witkoff, former hostages Omer Shem Tov, Keith & Aviva Siegel, Iair Horn, & many family members of Hamas hostages. My father alongside President Trump helped secure the release of dozens of hostages & is fighting for the safe return of every hostage
I am incredulous that a good newspaper like the @WSJ would not check with me as to whether I had any personal devices with me on either of my trips to Moscow. If they had, they would have known the truth. Which is, I only had with me a secure phone provided by the government for special circumstances when you travel to regions where you do not want your devices compromised. That is why CBS News reported that Goldberg himself said that he “has not recounted Witkoff making any comments in that group chat until Saturday, after he left Russia and returned to the U.S.”. Guess why? Because I had no access to my personal devices until I returned from my trip. That is the responsible way for me to make these trips and that is how I always conduct myself. Maybe it is time for media outlets like the Journal to acknowledge when some of their people make serious reporting mistakes like this. I would appreciate it if the WSJ and other media outlets check with me the next time they make serious allegations. Thank you. @realDonaldTrump@POTUS@JDVance@SusieWiles@PressSec@marcorubio@SecRubio@michaelgwaltz@PeteHegseth @SecDef @TulsiGabbard@DNIGabbard@StephenM@jaredkushner@seanhannity@CIADirector@DonaldJTrumpJr@EricTrump
.@SteveWitkoff was provided a secure line of communication by the U.S. Government, and it was the only phone he had in his possession while in Moscow.
If the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board cared about the truth, they could have reached out to our team for comment before running these lies.
This is classic Fake News from an outlet clearly determined to knock Steve Witkoff, who is a great patriot working effectively on behalf of President Trump to secure world peace.
Steve Witkoff has no background in diplomacy but has turned out to be the most effective American diplomat in a generation. Here’s how he’s trying to resolve the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
(0:00) What Witkoff Has Learned as Trump’s Global Negotiator
(4:10) Negotiating With Israel, Hamas, and Qatar
(12:50) Will We Achieve Peace Between Israel and Hamas?
(19:09) Why Corporate Media Hates Witkoff
(22:45) How the Loss of His Son Changed the Way Witkoff Negotiates Hostage Situations
(29:55) Israel’s Goals
(36:47) Trump’s Plan for Gaza
(44:29) How Witkoff Negotiated the Ceasefire
(50:52) Should We Be Concerned About Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey?
(54:36) Negotiating With Russia and Ukraine
(1:09:18) Putin Praying for Trump After He Was Shot
(1:12:55) Will There Be Elections in Ukraine Again?
(1:18:35) Donald Trump vs. Washington Warmongers
(1:26:19) Trump’s Letter to Iran
Includes paid partnerships.
Shame on @CNN. Not one of the authors of this fabricated article even called me as a courtesy to get my thoughts on this. Why? Because it is completely untrue. Here is the truth. @marcorubio is an outstanding Secretary of State. We work in complete sync together. There has never been a moment of friction between us and we have become close personal friends. It’s scary what these writers will do to attempt to be relevant. @SecRubio@SusieWiles@michaelgwaltz@realDonaldTrump@DonaldJTrumpJr@EricTrump@POTUS
.@CNN is an anti-Trump gossip tabloid that uses thinly sourced stories to generate clicks and try to make trouble. Witkoff is one of the people I work with the CLOSEST on our team. These people are pathetic. https://t.co/y8xyJgWLLo
The families of the released hostages, in special remarks, thanked @POTUS Trump and @SteveWitkoff for their efforts in reaching a deal to secure the release of their loved ones. This is Sasha, Karina Ariev’s sister: “Special thanks goes to President Trump for his unwavering support. Because of your powerful actions, we have our lives back. You made this deal possible after so many months where it felt like all hope was gone. Our hope rests with you for all of the hostages to return. Dear Mr. Witkoff, you are a truly remarkable person. Your care and compassion have been felt in every step of the journey, as if we were all your children. Thank you for everything you have done and for your kind and generous heart”
It is my honor to work for President @realDonaldTrump and the USA in the most worthy endeavor of my life. President Trump’s strength and leadership will be a signal to all to bring the hostages home and peace to the region. Thank God for his election. @EricTrump@DonaldJTrumpJr
President Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East @SteveWitkoff on the hostage situation: "I think we're making a lot of progress... I'm really hopeful that by the inaugural, we'll have some good things to announce on behalf of the president. I actually believe that... it's the president, his reputation, then things that he has said, that are driving this negotiation."
Happy Thanksgiving to the most consequential President in American history and who will bring peace and prosperity to the world at large. Thank you President @realDonaldTrump for making so many optimistic again.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, including to the Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country, but who have miserably failed, and will always fail, because their ideas and policies are so hopelessly bad that the great people of our Nation just gave a landslide victory to those who want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Don’t worry, our Country will soon be respected, productive, fair, and strong, and you will be, more than ever before, proud to be an American!