Trump mixes diplomacy and flattery at peace board meeting

President Donald Trump greeted world leaders who accepted his invitation to join his new peace board in Washington on Thursday, February 19, 2026, with a mix of fanfare and personal flattery at the inaugural meeting held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which Trump hopes will become a global conflict-resolution body despite critics warning it could interfere with United Nations efforts. The event marked a stark departure from Trump's typical diplomatic approach, as he maintained a convivial tone throughout the meeting, avoiding criticism of the human rights records of some attendees while reserving ominous warnings only for those who declined to participate. As leaders gathered for a group photo, James Brown's 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' blared overhead, setting the tone for an unconventional diplomatic gathering. Trump spent the first 25 minutes of his welcome speech complimenting the world leaders on stage, rating them on their good looks, wealth and strength, rather than focusing on the board's first priority: Gaza reconstruction. The president recited the names of attendees including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, pointing out 47-year-old Paraguayan President Pena as a 'young handsome guy' before remarking, 'It's always nice to be young and handsome. Doesn't mean we have to like you. I don't like young, handsome men. Women I like.' Trump also told stories portraying himself as having coerced leaders into compliance through threats of tariffs, claiming he pressured countries like India and Pakistan into ending conflicts, though India has firmly rejected this assertion. The president suggested his new board could surpass the United Nations in importance, stating 'The Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations... they need help,' while recounting an escalator incident at UN headquarters where he claimed to have put his hand on a certain part of his movie-star first lady Melania Trump's body. In total, Trump used the term 'beautiful' at least 14 times during his speech, praising his administration's work and the event space that had been renamed in his honor as a surprise by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.