On February 19, 2026, Trump hosted the inaugural meeting of his “Board of Peace” and committed $10 billion in US taxpayer money to the initiative, which he says will fund Gaza reconstruction and a stabilization force. Nine countries — Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait — pledged an additional $7 billion. But the total $17 billion represents a fraction of the UN/World Bank's estimated $70 billion needed for Gaza reconstruction.
The meeting was held at the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace” — a building that was the US Institute of Peace, an independent institution created by Congress in 1984. Trump's administration seized the building in an armed DOGE takeover in 2025, fired the entire board and staff, renamed it after himself, and is now using it as the headquarters of his personal peace initiative. A federal judge ruled the seizure illegal, but the building remains in government control during appeal. Former employees are still suing.
Several close US allies refused to participate or expressed reservations. Portuguese foreign minister Paulo Rangel said the charter was “somewhat ambiguous” about whether it could expand beyond Gaza. Critics fear the Board is designed to sideline the United Nations. France 24 described Trump's ambitions as “vague.” NBC News noted Trump was “leaning into a global role” — but one built on a foundation of illegally seized property, allies who won't participate, and a fraction of the money actually needed.
The contributing countries are notable for what they have in common: authoritarian or semi-authoritarian governments, several with significant human rights concerns, and all with financial interests in maintaining good relations with Trump. These are not neutral parties investing in peace — they are governments buying influence.