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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Editorial

The Guardian view on Trump’s Board of Peace: an international body in service to one man’s ego

Donald Trump announces the formation of the Board of Peace in Davos, Switzerland, on 22 January 2026
‘The charter of the board, formally launched in Davos on Thursday, suggests that this is less America First than Trump Always.’ Photograph: World Economic Forum/Jason Alden/UPI/Shutterstock

One glance at the logo of the Board of Peace tells you all you need to know. It is the globe and laurels of the UN – only gold, because this is Donald Trump’s initiative, and showing little of the world beyond North America.

The charter of the board, formally launched in Davos on Thursday, suggests that this is less America First than Trump Always. It is not “the US president” but Mr Trump himself who is named as chair, for as long as he wishes. He can pick his successor, decide the agenda and axe whomever he chooses – even if they have coughed up the $1bn demanded for permanent membership. It is the institutional expression of his belief that he is bound not by law but “my own morality, my own mind”.

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