Trump appoints Morgan Ortagus as deputy envoy for Middle East peace

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Morgan Ortagus as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace, assigning her to support real estate executive Steven Witkoff, who was named special envoy for the region in November.

Trump announced the appointment on Friday via his platform, Truth Social. “She will hopefully be an asset to Steve, a great leader and talent, as we seek to bring calm and prosperity to a very troubled region. I expect great results, and soon,” he wrote.

Ortagus, a former State Department spokesperson, expressed her enthusiasm for the new role. “To be given the opportunity to once again represent my country and the Trump Administration in a crucial diplomatic role is a dream come true,” she posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

She emphasized the administration’s commitment to the region, saying the “most important thing” is bringing “peace and stability to a troubled region” and adding that she is “grateful to play a small role” in achieving that goal.

Ortagus previously served as State Department spokesperson from 2019 to 2021 during Trump’s first term, working under then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Before her tenure at the State Department, she held roles at the Treasury Department, including serving as a financial intelligence analyst and as deputy U.S. Treasury attaché in Saudi Arabia from 2010 to 2011.

Her appointment comes as Trump looks to advance his Middle East strategy through experienced hands in both diplomacy and financial intelligence. Ortagus’s experience in the region, combined with Witkoff’s business acumen, signals the administration’s focus on integrating economic and political solutions to foster stability.