Trump's Light-Hearted Remarks at Inaugural Board of Peace Meeting
In a moment of levity during a high-stakes diplomatic gathering, former US President Donald Trump playfully addressed the rising prominence of two key figures in his orbit. The occasion was the inaugural meeting of his newly established Board of Peace, convened on February 19, 2026, in Washington, DC. This body has been tasked with the critical mission of overseeing the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as coordinating the extensive rebuilding efforts for the war-torn region.
Joking About Rubio's Performance and Employment Status
Addressing dozens of world leaders assembled for the historic meeting, Trump turned his attention to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. With characteristic humor, Trump remarked that Rubio's recent diplomatic successes had been so impressive that he "almost terminated his" employment. This comment came in response to observers questioning why Trump himself couldn't deliver similar speeches.
"You did yourself proud in Munich. In fact, so well, I almost terminated his employment. Because they said, why can't Trump do this?!" the former president declared to laughter from the audience. He quickly added, "I do, but I say it differently." Trump then issued a mock warning to Rubio: "But Marco, don't do any better than you did, please. Because if you do, you're out of here."
Rubio had recently garnered international praise for his message of unity delivered at the Munich Security Conference on February 14. In that address, he emphasized that "Europe will never be irrelevant," striking a notably different tone from some previous administration statements.
Family Dynamics and the "One Star" Rule
Trump also humorously referenced first lady Melania Trump's growing popularity, particularly following the February 1 release of her eponymous documentary. The former president shared his personal "rule of thumb" regarding family fame dynamics.
"I always say there's not room in one family for two stars," Trump explained. "I told her that." He expressed pride in his wife while simultaneously fretting about the implications of having two prominent individuals under one roof. "You can't have two stars in one family. I don't know what that means but it's not good," he mused before adding, "But it is good because we're proud of her."
Trump made sure to note that "the people of the United States love the first lady," acknowledging her widespread appeal even as he joked about the challenges of shared celebrity.
The Board of Peace and Gaza Reconstruction Efforts
The Board of Peace represents Trump's ambitious initiative to bring stability to the Gaza region following the ceasefire agreement. The board was formally established on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in January 2026 with the specific mandate of overseeing both the ceasefire implementation and reconstruction efforts.
Significant financial commitments have already been secured for Gaza relief. Multiple nations including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan have collectively pledged $7 billion toward these efforts. Trump announced that the United States would contribute an additional $10 billion to the reconstruction initiative.
Political Dynamics and Potential 2028 Implications
Trump's remarks about Rubio came amid growing political speculation about potential contenders for the 2028 presidential election. Political observers have increasingly portrayed both Rubio and Vice President JD Vance as positioning themselves for possible campaigns, though both men have publicly denied any rivalry between them.
The contrast between Rubio's and Vance's approaches was particularly evident in their respective speeches at the Munich Security Conference. While Vance had criticized European leaders the previous year for their policies on migration, defense, and free speech, Rubio struck a more conciliatory tone, emphasizing unity while acknowledging that European leaders had also made mistakes.
Trump offered his assessment of their different styles: "Marco does it with a velvet glove, but it's a kill. Trust me. The result is the same. They do it very differently." Regarding Vance, Trump noted that he "gets a little bit tough on occasion," but was careful to emphasize that both men had performed "great" in their respective roles.
The inaugural Board of Peace meeting thus served multiple purposes: advancing serious diplomatic efforts for Gaza while providing a platform for Trump's characteristically colorful commentary on the political and personal dynamics within his administration and family.
