Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz is reportedly being considered for the role of President Trump’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, according to sources familiar with the matter. The current holder of this ambassador-level position, which requires Senate confirmation, is historian Deborah Lipstadt.
One individual close to Trump stated, “Dershowitz is being considered… People who care about this are pushing it.” Dershowitz, a prominent figure at Harvard University, has gained attention as a potential candidate for the role due to his reputation as a staunch defender of the Jewish community and his track record of standing against legal challenges directed at Trump, even when he was affiliated with the Democratic Party.
At 86 years old, Dershowitz was recently seen mingling with members at Mar-a-Lago, engaging in discussions. Known for his legal expertise, he notably served on Trump’s defense team during the former president’s impeachment trial in 2020 and frequently appears on Fox News to advocate for Trump’s positions. Despite his advocacy work, Dershowitz has faced backlash in his home community of Martha’s Vineyard.
In addition to Dershowitz, social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky is also being considered for the role. Savetsky, 39, has been a vocal advocate for Jewish causes online and faced significant online criticism for her pro-Israel stance when she was announced as a cast member of Real Housewives of New York in 2022. This backlash ultimately led her to step away from the show. Mayor Adams recently commended Savetsky for her efforts in combatting antisemitism.
Savetsky is married to plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky, who garnered attention and received death threats for offering free plastic surgery to victims of a Hamas attack. Trump fundraiser Blair Brandt is reportedly supporting Savetsky’s candidacy for the envoy position.
Other contenders for the role include Ellie Cohanim, a career State Department official who previously served as deputy special envoy during the prior Trump administration, and Brooke Goldstein, founder of the Lawfare Project, a nonprofit organization focused on using legal action to combat antisemitism. Goldstein is said to be actively pursuing the position, with an insider mentioning, “[Goldstein] wants it badly. She’s running around telling everybody she was born for this job.”
When approached for comment, Dershowitz, Savetsky, and Cohanim declined to provide a statement. Goldstein, on the other hand, expressed her willingness to accept the role if offered, stating that she would be “honored” to serve.
The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism position was established in 2004 following the passage of the Global Antisemitism Review Act by Congress. The office is tasked with advancing U.S. foreign policy on antisemitism and operates with an annual budget of $1.75 million. During Trump’s previous term, the role remained vacant for two years.
