Alex Witkoff, son of US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, marked the 15th anniversary of his brother Andrew's death on Saturday by sharing that his newborn nephew was born on the same date and named in Andrew's memory, a coincidence he described as "bashert," or "meant to be."
"Exactly 15 years ago, we unexpectedly lost my beloved brother Andrew," Witkoff wrote, reflecting on his brother's death. On the anniversary of Andrew's death, the family welcomed a new life when his brother Zach Witkoff and Zach's wife, Sophie, had a son named Theodore Andrew in memory of his late uncle.
'In Judaism, we call this "bashert"'
The timing carried particular significance because that day was the only one on which the couple's doctor was available to deliver the baby. "In Judaism, we call this 'bashert,' meant to be," Witkoff wrote.
For the Witkoff family, a day long associated with tragedy has now taken on new meaning. "A day forever marked by unimaginable loss now carries with it new life, joy, and hope. Theodore will carry forward Andrew's name, memory, and spirit," Witkoff wrote.
Andrew Witkoff died of an opioid overdose in 2011 at age 22. Steve Witkoff previously spoke about the loss at a conference on the opioid epidemic organized by First Lady Melania Trump.
"After my son died, I found myself clinging to his memory, even his possessions. His student ID is in my pocket now, I have worn his ring since he died, I came here today wearing his watch, I kept his guitar, and I thought I would keep it forever, but I gave it to a dear friend of mine, a dear friend of Andrew's, and a music fan like him, Donald Trump," he said.
Steve Witkoff's first grandson named after Donald Trump
Theodore is Steve Witkoff's second grandchild; the first is nearly-two-year-old Don James Witkoff, born to Zach Witkoff in December 2024. He is named after Donald Trump, a fact that both Trump and Witkoff publicized online shortly after Don's birth.
"Congratulations to Zach and Sophi Witkoff on the birth of their son, Don James Witkoff (DJW), named after me (Thank you!). I wish them the best today, the day of DJW’s Bris," Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. "Don will have a great, beautiful, and successful life. This will be, because of him, a very important date as the years go by!"
"Thank you Mr. President," Zach Witkoff wrote in a response on Twitter/X. "It is an honor to name our son after the greatest President of all time and all that you stand for."
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.