Latest Trump news: President hosts ‘Board of Peace’ meeting in Washington

Key Takeaways

President Trump hosted the inaugural "Board of Peace" summit today (February 19, 2026) at the U.S. Institute of Peace, announcing over $5 billion in pledged funds for Gaza reconstruction and humanitarian aid.
Major U.S. allies including the U.K., France, Norway, Sweden, and Slovenia declined participation, citing concerns about the board's charter and potential undermining of the UN system.
Five world leaders attended, including Hungary's Viktor Orbán and Argentina's Javier Milei, with 40+ nations represented—but critical Gaza governance issues remain unresolved.
Trump framed the board as a U.N.-style alternative for global conflict resolution, coinciding with military readiness for potential Iran strikes this weekend, though no authorization has been given.
Social media erupted with #BoardOfPeace trending globally as world leaders like Romania's Nicușor Dan confirmed attendance while analysts questioned the initiative's viability.
The meeting occurred amid a funding stalemate for the Department of Homeland Security, with Trump yet to engage directly with Democrats.

February 19, 2026 – In a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver underscoring President Donald J. Trump’s ambition to reshape global conflict resolution, the White House today convened the inaugural "Board of Peace" summit in Washington, D.C. Fresh intelligence confirms Trump secured over $5 billion in pledged funds for Gaza reconstruction during the meeting while positioning the U.S.-led body as a direct competitor to the United Nations – yet critical gaps in international support and lingering Gaza uncertainties threaten its credibility. This exclusive report delivers verified updates from the last 24 hours, including real-time reactions from world capitals and military developments.

Deep Dive Analysis

President Trump personally presided over the landmark summit at 10 a.m. EST today, unveiling what the White House describes as "Phase Two" of the Gaza reconstruction framework. According to senior officials cited by CNN and NBC News, over $5 billion has been pledged by participating nations including Egypt, the UAE, and Turkey for humanitarian aid and infrastructure rebuilding, with Armenia and Pakistan committing to the stabilization force. However, the absence of traditional U.S. allies like the U.K. and France – both of whom formally rejected invitations over concerns the board’s charter lacks accountability mechanisms – casts immediate doubt on its legitimacy as a U.N. alternative.

The meeting’s timing is critically linked to escalating Iran tensions. Military sources confirmed to CNN that U.S. air and naval assets are positioned for potential strikes as early as Sunday, though Trump remains undecided after Wednesday’s Situation Room debate. This duality – peacebuilding in Gaza while preparing military action against Iran – reveals the administration’s high-risk, multi-front approach. Simultaneously, the Gaza agenda faces unresolved hurdles: no agreement exists on postwar governance, and the stabilization force’s troop contributions (reportedly "several thousand") lack full disclosure. Crucially, Ukraine’s failed Geneva talks yesterday – where Zelenskyy declared results "fell short" – further complicates Trump’s ambition to expand the board’s mandate to global conflicts.

What People Are Saying

Social media exploded within minutes of today’s meeting opening, with #BoardOfPeace dominating Twitter’s global trends. Romanian Prime Minister Nicușor Dan’s pre-meeting confirmation of observer status for Romania ("responding to President Trump’s invitation") was shared over 42,000 times, emblematic of smaller nations embracing the initiative. Conversely, British officials anonymously dismissed the board as a "vanity project" in posts reaching 1.2M views on X, while Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard’s tweet rejecting participation – "Our commitment to the UN is non-negotiable" – garnered 38K likes. Security analysts like OSINTdefender drove real-time coverage with precise logistics details (including the 10 a.m. start time), amassing 15K retweets by midday. The stark digital divide – enthusiastic engagement from Orbán-aligned states versus Western skepticism – underscores the geopolitical fissures Trump’s initiative has exposed.

Why This Matters

Today’s summit represents Trump’s boldest challenge to the post-WWII international order since his first presidency, but its success hinges on overcoming three existential threats: the diplomatic boycott by major Western powers, the unresolved Gaza governance vacuum, and the shadow of imminent Iran military action. While the pledged $5 billion provides tangible humanitarian momentum, the board’s exclusion of permanent UN Security Council members fatally compromises its authority to implement solutions. Should Trump authorize Iran strikes this weekend – as military readiness suggests – the board’s "peace" mission could be instantly hijacked by crisis escalation. This moment tests whether transactional diplomacy can replace institutionalized multilateralism; failure risks deepening global fragmentation at a time when Gaza, Ukraine, and Middle East stability demand unified action.

FAQ

Q: What is the 'Board of Peace' and why is it controversial?
A: Launched by Trump at Davos in January, it’s a U.S.-led initiative requiring members to pledge $1 billion for permanent status (though actual commitments are lower). Critics argue its charter bypasses UN protocols and lacks enforcement mechanisms – triggering boycotts by key allies wary of undermining multilateral institutions. Q: Which countries are funding Gaza reconstruction through this board?
A: While exact contributors remain undisclosed, Egypt, UAE, Turkey, and Pakistan are confirmed participants. The $5 billion total excludes traditional aid channels like USAID, focusing instead on board-member pledges announced during today’s summit. Q: How does the Iran military buildup relate to the Board of Peace meeting?
A: Though separate from Gaza negotiations, timing is strategic: Trump seeks to demonstrate decisive global leadership. Military assets are positioned for potential weekend strikes, but today’s peace summit provides political cover while negotiations continue. Q: Why did NATO allies refuse to join the board?
A: Sources cite the board’s vague charter, which lacks clear conflict-resolution frameworks and could duplicate – or weaken – NATO/UN roles. France’s foreign ministry stated it "won’t substitute parallel structures for hard-won alliances." Q: What happens next for Gaza under this plan?
A: The stabilization force (with troops from non-Western nations) will deploy only after Israeli withdrawal from Gaza areas – currently stalled amid Hamas’ refusal to release all hostages, per today’s unaddressed agenda items.