Trump Blends Diplomacy and Praise at First Board of Peace Meeting

Post by : Saif Nasser

Donald Trump welcomed several world leaders to Washington this week for the first meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace. The event, held at the United States Institute of Peace, was designed to promote global conflict resolution. However, the meeting also drew attention for the president’s personal style and remarks.

Leaders from different countries attended the gathering, including Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, Edi Rama of Albania, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, and other senior officials. Gianni Infantino was also present. Some close U.S. allies, however, chose not to join the new forum.

The Board of Peace was first announced in September with a focus on rebuilding Gaza. President Trump has said he hopes the board will grow into a major global body that can help solve international conflicts. At the meeting, he even suggested that the board could one day rival the influence of the United Nations.

During his speech, Trump mixed diplomatic goals with personal compliments. He praised leaders on stage, commenting on their strength, appearance, and leadership. He used the word “beautiful” many times to describe the event and his administration’s work. Music played in the background as leaders gathered for photos, giving the meeting a dramatic tone.

The president did not focus heavily on policy details at the start of his remarks. Instead, he spent much of the early part of his speech offering praise and sharing personal stories. The issue of Gaza and broader Middle East tensions was discussed later in his address.

Trump also spoke about using economic pressure in past conflicts. He repeated claims that he had used threats of tariffs to push countries such as India and Pakistan toward easing tensions. India has rejected those claims in the past.

Critics of the Board of Peace say the new body could interfere with the work of the United Nations. They argue that global peace efforts should be handled through established international systems. Supporters, on the other hand, say new ideas and leadership can bring fresh energy to difficult global problems.

The meeting also included a surprise announcement. Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio helped organize a plan to rename the event space at the Institute of Peace in his honor. The president appeared pleased but also joked about the surprise.

Throughout the event, Trump’s tone was friendly and relaxed. Unlike past meetings where he has combined praise with sharp warnings, this time he focused mostly on positive remarks for those who attended. He did warn, however, that countries choosing not to participate should not try to “play cute” with him.

The Board of Peace begins its work at a time when global conflicts remain complex and ongoing. Whether the new forum will gain strong international support or face continued criticism remains to be seen.

What is clear is that President Trump’s approach blends traditional diplomacy with personal style and public performance. For supporters, this method shows confidence and direct leadership. For critics, it raises questions about tone and priorities.

As the Board of Peace moves forward, the world will watch to see if it can deliver real results in conflict resolution, starting with Gaza and possibly expanding to other regions.