FROM THE WTF TRUMP FILE: WELCOME TO THE "BOARD OF PEACE"
WHERE DIPLOMACY MEETS COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP FEES
In what can only be described as the geopolitical equivalent of turning the UN Security Council into a timeshare presentation, President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" has officially moved from PowerPoint fantasy to brick-and-mortar reality. And folks, it's exactly as wild as you'd expect when you mix Middle East peace negotiations with the business model of Mar-a-Lago.
Pay-to-Play Diplomacy: Now Accepting Visa, Mastercard, and Sovereign Wealth Funds
Let's start with the most jaw-dropping feature: the $1 billion cover charge. That's right—if your country wants a permanent seat at the peace table, you'll need to pony up a cool billion dollars. Think of it as Costco membership, except instead of bulk toilet paper, you get... well, actually, you don't get much.
Because here's the kicker: even after dropping a billion dollars, you still don't have equal power. Chairman Trump—yes, he's given himself a permanent title that apparently survives even if he's no longer president—retains final veto power over everything. It's like paying for a gym membership where the owner can still kick you off the treadmill whenever he feels like it.
The charter's "Legacy Clause" is particularly chef's kiss: Trump remains Chairman "regardless of his status as U.S. President." Congratulations, world! You've just witnessed the birth of a private, multi-billion dollar international organization with one guy holding the remote control.
The Two-Tier System: Regular Peasants vs. Platinum Members
Can't afford the billion? No worries! You can serve a standard three-year term for free. Of course, your invitation can be revoked "at any time" at the Chairman's "sole discretion."
Just ask Canada.
The Great Canadian Disinvitation of 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney made the fatal mistake of suggesting that Canada wouldn't "write a blank cheque" for international diplomacy. At Davos, he had the audacity to warn about a world "rupture" caused by tariff-wielding powers abandoning the rules-based order.
Trump's response? A masterclass in diplomatic subtlety: "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark."
When Carney fired back with "Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian," Trump did what any mature world leader would do: he uninvited them. Via Truth Social. Because nothing says "serious international peace initiative" like getting kicked out via social media.
Canada now holds the dubious honor of being one of the few G7 nations to have its invitation revoked rather than simply declined. They're basically the kid who got their birthday party invitation rescinded because they questioned why the bounce house costs extra.
The Palestinian Question: CEOs, Not Citizens
Now let's talk about the people this is supposedly all about: Palestinians.
Under the "Board of Peace" model, Gaza is now governed by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)—15 unelected technocrats led by Dr. Ali Shaath, who's been described as the "CEO of Gaza." Not president. Not elected representative. CEO.
Because nothing says "self-determination" like being run by a committee you didn't vote for, reporting to a board you're not on, chaired by a guy who lives in Florida.
The Palestinian Authority in Ramallah? Locked out until they complete a "reform program." Hamas? Explicitly banned. The Palestinian people? Well, they get Dr. Shaath, who represents a "brains, not weapons" philosophy, which sounds inspiring until you remember that "brains" apparently means "no say in who governs you."
Critics point out that the NCAG lacks "broad popular legitimacy," which is diplomatic speak for "nobody voted for these people." The administration's response? Economic prosperity will eventually create stability for future elections. You know, eventually. Maybe. If the Chairman approves.
The West Bank: The Other Forgotten Territory
While Gaza gets its "Riviera" makeover (more on that nightmare in a moment), the West Bank is experiencing what the UN delicately calls an "unravelling situation."
Israel just declared massive swaths of West Bank land as "state property"—which the Palestinian Authority views as de facto annexation. Nearly 700 people have been displaced in the West Bank already in 2026. But hey, at least Gaza might get 180 luxury skyscrapers, right?
The two territories are now experiencing what experts call "the Great Decoupling." Movement between them requires a "Blue Pass" with biometric data, Level 3 security clearance, and approval from the Board of Peace. It's often easier to fly through Egypt and Jordan than to travel between Palestinian territories.
Families remain separated. The death toll in Gaza has passed 71,000 since October 2023. But sure, let's focus on the deep-water port and luxury tourism zone.
The "Riviera" Scheme: Disaster Capitalism at Its Finest
Speaking of which, let's talk about the crown jewel of this whole operation: the "Gaza Riviera."
The plan envisions 180 luxury coastal skyscrapers, a modern airport, a deep-water port, and "data centers and advanced manufacturing zones." The pitch? Gaza as the "Riviera of the Middle East."
Who's building it? Well, that's where it gets really interesting:
- Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners: Managing the "New Rafah" development with a $1.5 billion UAE pledge
- Apollo Global Management: Led by Board member Marc Rowan, mobilizing multi-billion dollar capital
- Steve Witkoff: Trump's real estate mogul buddy, now "Special Envoy," handling infrastructure contracts
- Gothams LLC: An Austin-based firm seeking a seven-year monopoly on logistics with a "300% profit guarantee"
Yes, you read that right. A 300% return on capital. For trucking. During a humanitarian crisis.
The bidding process includes delightful requirements like "Peace Deposits" (non-refundable if you miss deadlines) and the "2035 Guarantee" (you're locked in for 10 years whether you like it or not).
The Corporate Dream Team
The Board of Peace reads like a who's who of people you'd expect at a luxury real estate conference, not a peace negotiation:
- Donald Trump (Chairman & Permanent Veto Holder)
- Jared Kushner (because nothing says "conflict of interest" like your son-in-law's investment firm getting contracts)
- Marc Rowan (Apollo Global Management CEO)
- Steve Witkoff (Real Estate Mogul)
- Yakir Gabay (Israeli-Cypriot Real Estate Billionaire)
It's less "international peace initiative" and more "investment opportunity with a humanitarian crisis theme."
The Global Rebellion
Europe is not having it. France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Spain have all declined their invitations. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas called the Board a "personal vehicle" for Trump lacking UN accountability.
At the Munich Security Conference, diplomats criticized what they're calling "oligarchic diplomacy"—the idea that international peace should be "purchased" and that a private board with a $1 billion entry fee should replace the UN Security Council.
The UN itself is preparing legal challenges on multiple fronts:
- Ultra Vires: The Board is exceeding its legal authority
- Sovereign Equality Violation: The $1 billion fee violates the principle that all states are equal
- Self-Determination: Palestinians have no elected representation
- The Liability Gap: Who's responsible when contractors commit human rights violations?
The Bottom Line
So here we are in February 2026, watching a former (and possibly future) U.S. President run a private international organization with veto power over a multi-billion dollar reconstruction effort in a territory whose people have no vote in their own governance, while luxury real estate developers line up for contracts that guarantee 300% profits, and traditional allies refuse to participate because the whole thing looks like a country club that cosplays as diplomacy.
The administration calls it "focused multilateralism." Critics call it a "private golf club for wealthy nations." The Palestinian people? They're still waiting to be asked what they think.
But hey, at least someone's going to make a killing on those 180 luxury towers.
Assuming, of course, that the Chairman doesn't veto the whole thing on a whim.
Welcome to 2026, where peace has a price tag, diplomacy has a membership fee, and the "rules-based international order" is now available in Standard and Elite tiers.
Terms and conditions apply. Chairman's veto supersedes all agreements. No refunds.
Trump says his Board of Peace has $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges | AP News https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-board-peace-reconstruction-stabilization-685251b3e8f24cf8779d6fe3f5f2ca04
Trump’s “board of peace” isn’t about Gaza: It’s about replacing the UN https://www.epc.eu/publication/trumps-board-of-peace-isnt-about-gaza-its-about-replacing-the-un/
What Comes Next for Gaza and Trump’s Board of Peace | Baker Institute https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/what-comes-next-gaza-and-trumps-board-peace
President Trump Ratifies Board of Peace in Historic Ceremony, Opening Path to Hope and Dignity for Gazans – The White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/president-trump-ratifies-board-of-peace-in-historic-ceremony-opening-path-to-hope-and-dignity-for-gazans/
