A Peace Summit with a Twist: Trump's Board of Peace Faces Skepticism and Absences
Dozens of world leaders and their delegations are set to gather in Washington, DC, this Thursday for the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace. However, this event is not without controversy and notable absences.
The White House has framed this summit as a fundraising endeavor, with Trump boasting on social media about pledges exceeding $5 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza, which has been ravaged by war with Israel and is currently in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Initially, the board's primary goal was Gaza's rebuilding, but Trump has since expanded its mandate to address other global conflicts.
But here's where it gets controversial: despite Trump's bold claims, the Board of Peace summit is met with heavy skepticism. Expectations are low, both for the meeting itself and for any tangible outcomes in the Middle East, where Jared Kushner's 100-day peace and recovery plan announced in Davos has made little progress, and aid to Gaza remains scarce.
Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former US diplomat, offers a critical perspective: "The board is a convenient tool for a president seeking quick wins and transactions, projecting movement without substance. Sure, you might get impressive pledges, but delivering on those pledges is a whole different story."
And this is the part most people miss: major European allies, including the Vatican, have declined to join the board, citing concerns over its murky funding and political agenda. Critics argue that the board is an attempt to usurp authority from established international organizations like the United Nations and may allow Trump to retain control even after his presidency ends.
So, as this peace summit unfolds, one question remains: will it be a genuine effort towards global harmony, or just another political spectacle?
Other news stories making headlines today include:
Les Wexner's Testimony: The former boss of Victoria's Secret, Les Wexner, testifies before Congress, defending his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and asserting his innocence.
Environmental Groups Take Action: More than a dozen health and environmental justice organizations sue the EPA over its repeal of a landmark climate finding, arguing that it undermines US efforts to combat the climate crisis.
Trump's Chagos Islands Warning: Donald Trump urges Keir Starmer not to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, claiming it would be a "big mistake."
Immigration Policies Impact Hospitality: Workers in the hospitality industry, where immigrants make up nearly a third of the workforce, speak out about the chilling effect of Trump's immigration policies.
Union Membership on the Rise: Despite Trump's assault on collective bargaining, union membership in the US has soared to a 16-year high in 2025, according to new data.
Avalanche Tragedy: Eight skiers missing after an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains have been confirmed dead, a tragic reminder of the dangers of winter sports.
Gateway Tunnel Progress: The Trump administration transfers federal funds for the Gateway rail tunnel initiative, clearing the way for project restart next week.
Meta CEO Testifies: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, faces a landmark trial, with plaintiffs' lawyers questioning his company's efforts to verify the age of its users.
Extinction Rebellion Under Investigation: The environmental group reveals that some of its members have been visited by FBI agents, including those from the agency's extremism taskforce, raising concerns about government scrutiny.
NYU Langone Health's Decision: One of New York City's major hospital networks announces the shutdown of its gender-affirming care program for minors, amid threats from the Trump administration to strip federal funding from providers treating trans youth.
Media Regulator's Claim: The chair of the US's top media regulator suggests that journalists were manipulated into covering a story about Stephen Colbert being blocked from interviewing a Texas Senate candidate.
Stay tuned for more updates as these stories unfold!
