High-Profile Trump Appointee Is the Latest To Splash Out on Luxe DC Home

by Mary K. Jacob

Another big-ticket property deal has hit Washington, DC — and this time, it’s courtesy of a high-profile Trump appointee.

Jacob Helberg, recently tapped by President Donald Trump as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, has just secured a $7 million townhouse in the ultra-exclusive Kalorama neighborhood, The Post has learned.

Jacob Helberg with President Donald Trump.
(X/Jacob Helberg)

Helberg declined to comment on the deal.

Built in 1912, the sprawling residence, just around the corner from the French Embassy, spans more than 6,700 square feet, and boasts seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half-baths.

Designed by renowned AD100 designer Darryl Carter, the listing describes the property as “a true masterpiece that seamlessly blends elegance with modernity,” featuring “exquisite finishes, soaring high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light.”

The home’s interior features a chef’s kitchen outfitted with top-tier appliances and custom Balthaup cabinetry, a formal dining room anchored by a marble fireplace, and an opulent primary suite occupying the entire second floor.

The home occupies over 6,700 square feet.
(Google Maps)

This sanctuary includes a gas fireplace, a private balcony and a high-end Poliform-designed dressing room. The marble-clad ensuite bathroom offers spa-like indulgence with a soaking tub, a separate shower and dual vanities.

There are four additional bedrooms upstairs, each with a private ensuite bath.

The lower level features a spacious family room, a guest or staff suite, a full kitchen, plus a chic wine bar stocked with dual beverage refrigerators.

The outdoor space is home to meticulously landscaped gardens, multiple terraces, a heated dipping pool and a two-car garage equipped with an electric vehicle charger.

Kalorama has long been a haven for the political and business elite.

The president’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner famously resided there during Trump’s first term, while Barack and Michelle Obama also call the neighborhood home.

Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has a property in the area, as do several other Trump-era officials, including David Sacks, who sources tell The Post just purchased a simple condo; Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, who recently purchased Bret Baier’s DC mansion, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Helberg, a staunch China hawk, is no stranger to the political spotlight.

He serves as a commissioner for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission and is a senior advisor to Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp. His outspoken stance on US-China relations, particularly regarding the national security risks of Chinese-owned apps like TikTok, has made him a key figure in Washington’s ongoing tech battle with Beijing.

A graduate of NYU Law and NYU Tandon’s Cyber Security Risk & Strategy program, Helberg played a pivotal role in pushing for the 2024 Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which led to TikTok facing a forced sale or an outright ban in the US.

In 2018, Helberg, 35, married tech investor Keith Rabois, 55, in a ceremony officiated by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The couple has two children.

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