Trump Makes World Leaders Stand Uncomfortably On Stage As Music Blasts

Donald Trump stood at the front of the hall and for a minute turned a serious meeting into a show. He had world leaders rise with him for a photo while loud pop songs filled the room. The music came from his playlist and the moment felt more like a rally than a policy forum.

The scene took place at the first leaders meeting of the Board of Peace. The meeting was meant to raise money and plan how to rebuild and stabilize the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Trump used the day to show results. He said nine members had pledged a combined $7 billion for Gaza work and that the United States would pledge $10 billion to support the board. Those dollars are real but small compared with what experts say is needed to rebuild the enclave.

The plan on the table includes a new international force and a push to train police. Army Major General Jasper Jeffers, who will lead the force, told the meeting five countries had pledged troops. He said the long term plan calls for 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police and that the force will start in Rafah and expand sector by sector.

The cost to rebuild the strip is far higher than the money pledged at the meeting. The United Nations and other agencies estimate about $70 billion will be needed to repair homes, hospitals and basic services across Gaza.

Not everything at the meeting was about cash and troops. Mr. Trump made a point about global institutions when a reporter asked if his board would replace the world body. He said, “you got to let the U.N. continue.” The line was meant to calm critics who fear the board could sideline the United Nations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of the stakes in blunt language. “We have to get this right. There is no plan B for Gaza. Plan B is going back to war. No one here wants that,” he said.

Officials also offered concrete pledges and plans. Several countries named by the president agreed to send money and personnel. Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania were among those that offered troops, while Egypt and Jordan said they would train police.

The meeting was held inside the building that once housed the U.S. Institute of Peace and that now carries a new name on its facade. The venue added to the sense this was a carefully staged moment. Cameras and a red hat for attendees made the event look like a launch party as much as a planning meeting.

The moment quickly spilled onto X, where critics and supporters alike weighed in with blunt reactions that captured just how divided the optics of the meeting had become.