Real estate developer Steve Witkoff was golfing with Donald Trump when another apparent assassination attempt almost unfolded against the former president.
Witkoff was playing with Trump at the latter’s West Palm Beach golf course around 1:30 pm when a Secret Service agent opened fire on a man hiding along the perimeter of the course, the New York Times reported. While it doesn’t initially appear the suspect, Ryan Routh, opened fire on Trump, a semiautomatic rifle with a scope were among the items later found near the fence.
Trump was unhurt in the incident. The suspected gunman was detained after fleeing the scene.
Witkoff later described the scene to Sean Hannity, the Fox News host said on “Fox News Live,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Witkoff reportedly told Hannity that the former president went up to Secret Service agents after the incident and thanked them for their protection.
As friends and two longtime players in New York’s development scene, Trump and Witkoff have a long-running friendship. The former president was among those in attendance at The Breakers in Palm Beach this winter when Witkoff’s son, Alex, married model Melissa Cuc. Alex’s brother was previously married at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
More recently, Trump credited Witkoff with helping the presidential candidate bury the hatchet with his occasional political adversary, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. On social media accounts this April, Trump gave kudos to Witkoff for helping to facilitate a “great meeting.”
And in July, Witkoff went to bat for Trump at the Republican National Convention, according to USA Today. During his speech, Witkoff attempted to shed more light on Trump’s human side, discussing how the presidential candidate was there for Witkoff after one of his sons died from an opioid overdose.
Read more
Development
South Florida
Trump, Peebles and more: Real estate VIPs flock to Witkoff wedding in Palm Beach
Commercial
South Florida
Steve Witkoff plays peacemaker for Donald Trump and “Meatball Ron”
Residential
South Florida
After assassination attempt, Mar-a-Lago road closures cut access for nearby luxury listings
“President Trump is as kind and compassionate a man as I’ve ever met [in] my lifetime,” Witkoff proclaimed.
Witkoff personally donated a combined $273,200 to Trump’s individual presidential campaign and three political action committees last year, according to federal campaign finance records.