WASHINGTON D.C. – During the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace on Thursday, former President Donald Trump made a series of off-script remarks, including a curious aside about his preferences regarding the appearance of men. The comments, delivered before a gathering of international leaders at the U.S. Institute of Peace, sparked immediate reaction and raised eyebrows, overshadowing the stated purpose of the meeting – the implementation of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan and securing financial pledges for humanitarian aid.
Whereas praising Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, whom he described as a “young, handsome guy,” Trump abruptly stated, “It’s always nice to be young and handsome — it doesn’t mean we have to like you. I don’t like young, handsome men.” He continued, “Women, I like. Men, I don’t have any interest,” before reportedly laughing nervously, according to multiple reports from the event. MSN and People Magazine both reported on the exchange.
A Rambling Discourse and a Focus on Gaza Aid
The remarks occurred during a nearly 40-minute digression from prepared statements, a pattern noted by observers covering the event. Trump’s Board of Peace, intended to oversee the implementation of his proposed Gaza peace plan, convened with representatives from nearly 50 nations. The meeting, held at the renamed Donald J Trump Institute of Peace, also served as a platform for soliciting financial contributions for a relief package for Gaza. According to Trump, nine countries pledged a combined $7 billion towards the effort. The Independent detailed the wide-ranging nature of Trump’s remarks, highlighting the unexpected turn towards personal preferences.
The countries contributing to the $7 billion relief package are Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait. The pledges represent a significant, though preliminary, step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, the context of the pledges, coming during a meeting characterized by Trump’s extended and often tangential remarks, has drawn scrutiny.
Santiago Peña: A Rising Political Figure
Santiago Peña Palacios, the President of Paraguay, assumed office in August 2023. Reports indicate he is one of the youngest presidents in Paraguay’s democratic history. Peña, an economist by training, studied at the Catholic University of Asunción and later earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York. His career began at the Central Bank of Paraguay, where he worked on monetary and financial policy for nearly a decade, from 2000 to 2009. He later served as Minister of Finance from 2015 to 2017.
Peña’s political affiliation shifted over time, initially aligning with the PLRA before joining the Colorado Party in 2016. He is married to architect Leticia Ocampos, and they have two children, Gonzalo and Constanza. As president, Peña has prioritized economic stability, strengthening international relationships, and modernizing public institutions, positioning himself as a technocratic leader focused on economic development.
Beyond Peña: Other Targets of Trump’s Remarks
The comments regarding Peña were not the only instances of Trump veering off-script during the Board of Peace meeting. He also took aim at New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, criticizing her performance during a recent appearance at the Munich Security Conference. Trump reportedly mocked her “disastrously awkward answer” regarding U.S. Defense commitments to Taiwan, questioning her intelligence and academic record. The Independent reported that Trump claimed Ocasio-Cortez, a Boston University graduate, “didn’t do well… in college.”
This pattern of personal attacks and digressions has grow a hallmark of Trump’s public appearances, often overshadowing the intended message. The Board of Peace meeting, intended to showcase a diplomatic initiative, instead became a platform for these unsolicited and often controversial remarks.
The Board of Peace and its Objectives
The formation of the Board of Peace represents Trump’s attempt to re-engage in international diplomacy, particularly in the Middle East. The 20-point Gaza peace plan, the board’s primary focus, has not been publicly detailed, leaving many observers questioning its feasibility and potential impact. The reliance on financial pledges from countries with varying geopolitical interests also raises concerns about the plan’s long-term viability. The meeting’s signaling that it would largely serve as a fundraising event, as reported by the White House, further underscores the complexities surrounding the initiative.
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, while securing significant financial pledges, was ultimately defined by Trump’s unconventional and often unpredictable behavior. The focus on personal preferences and attacks on political opponents detracted from the stated goals of the meeting, raising questions about the board’s effectiveness and the future of Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
The next scheduled update regarding the Board of Peace and the implementation of the Gaza peace plan is expected in early March, according to a statement released by Trump’s office. Further details regarding the allocation of the pledged $7 billion are also anticipated at that time. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this developing story in the comments below.
