Trump Throws Down Gauntlet At UN — Launches New Global Initiative

President Donald Trump convened the inaugural Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., telling attendees that the United Nations has failed to live up to its potential, adding that the newly-formed board will be “making sure it runs properly.”

“I think the United Nations has great potential. It has not lived up to that potential,” Trump said. “The United Nations, I think, is going to be much stronger, and the Board of Peace will be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.”

Trump went on to say he plans to assist the United Nations by improving its facilities and ensuring its viability. 

When Trump spoke at the United Nations Headquarters in September, the escalator abruptly stopped, and the teleprompter did not work during his remarks.

“We will make sure that the United Nations is viable and that you have good people at the United Nations doing a good job,” he said. “As I said, for years, the United Nations has had tremendous potential. It’s really important, and I think it will eventually live up to its potential. That will be a big day.”

The meeting, which took place at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, was attended by representatives of 48 countries, the European Union, and FIFA.

Over a dozen representatives made pledges on behalf of their countries to the board to improve the situation in Gaza.

In addition to President Trump announcing a $10 billion U.S. commitment to the Board of Peace, the United Arab Emirates pledged $1.2 billion, and Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir committed $1 billion. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani announced over $1 billion to support “a final resolution that fulfills Palestinian aspirations for statehood and recognition and Israeli aspirations for security and integration.”

Along with unspecified contributions from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait, the total pledged by countries other than the United States adds up to roughly $7 billion, according to Trump.

Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania pledged troops for an International Stabilization Force. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country would also contribute forces, but Israel has said it would reject Turkish troops from entering Gaza.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pledged “significant” funding for the Board of Peace and scholarships for 500 Gazan students to study in his country. Romania’s President Nicușor Dan said his country would provide medical treatment for 4,000 sick children and their family members, as well as assistance in rebuilding Gaza’s fire safety system.

Trump also declared that the war in Gaza is over and warned that if Hamas did not give up their weapons, they would be “very harshly met.”

“This is a tremendous group of powerful people, they’re brilliant people, and I think that we can do things that other people would not be able to conceive or think of,” Trump said. “The Board of Peace is going to lead the way in Gaza. We’re going to make Gaza an example of success and safety and unity, and it’s an honor that you’re here.”

In addition to the European Union, the countries that participated include: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and the European Union.