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Friday, January 16, 2026
Witkoff says Trump teared up over freed hostages’ visit, called it his ‘greatest day’ in White House
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President Donald Trump hosts a delegation of hostage families at the White House on November 20, 2025. (White House/X)
US special envoy Steve Witkoff says President Donald Trump had tears in his eyes after a visit from freed hostages who were released in October as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal.
“When we got the last 20 [living] hostages [released] and their families came to the White House, the president pulled me aside. I saw the tears. He doesn’t like anyone to see the tears,” Witkoff recalls, at the Israeli-American Council conference in Florida.
The businessman-turned-diplomat says Trump told him, “‘This is the greatest day I’ve ever had in the White House.’”
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