At a Glance
- Donald Trump will require nations to pay $1 billion for permanent membership on his new Board of Peace
- Non-paying members face a strict three-year term limit
- Trump will serve as chairman and control membership decisions
- Why it matters: The unprecedented pay-to-play structure could reshape international diplomacy and Gaza rebuilding efforts
President Donald Trump plans to charge nations $1 billion for permanent seats on his newly-formed Board of Peace, according to a Bloomberg report citing a draft charter. The revelation comes just weeks after Trump announced the creation of the board, which he claims will help rebuild Gaza and serve as an alternative to the United Nations.
The Billion-Dollar Membership Fee
A draft charter viewed by Bloomberg outlines the controversial payment structure. The document states that while all member states initially serve three-year terms, those contributing over $1 billion in cash within the first year receive permanent status.
“Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charter’s entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman. The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force,” the draft reads.
A U.S. official clarified to News Of Los Angeles that membership itself remains free, but the billion-dollar contribution secures permanent status. Countries choosing not to pay would face mandatory term limits.
Trump’s Control Over Funds and Membership
The charter grants Trump significant authority as inaugural chairman. Bloomberg noted that the document “appears to suggest Trump himself would control the money,” despite the funds being designated for Gaza reconstruction.
Trump also holds the power to remove board members, though this action requires a two-thirds majority veto from other member states. This structure concentrates unprecedented control in the chairman’s position.
Invitations to World Leaders
Trump has already extended invitations to several prominent world leaders:
- Argentina’s President Javier Milei
- Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney
- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin received an invitation on January 19. Peskov stated that Putin was “trying to clarify all the nuances” of the offer before responding. This invitation comes as Putin continues his military presence in Ukraine nearly four years after the initial invasion.
The United Nations reported in November that the Ukraine conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, including over 50,000 civilian casualties.
Board Structure and Leadership
Trump announced the Board of Peace’s formation on January 15 through Truth Social, calling it “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.”
The White House revealed the founding Executive Board on January 16:
- Secretary Marco Rubio
- Steve Witkoff
- Jared Kushner
- Sir Tony Blair
- Marc Rowan
- Ajay Banga
- Robert Gabriel
This executive board will “operationalize the Board of Peace’s vision,” according to the White House announcement.
Trump also appointed two senior advisors:
- Aryeh Lightstone
- Josh Gruenbaum
Both advisors will “lead day-to-day strategy and operations, and translate the Board’s mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution.”
Gaza Governance Plans
Beyond the board’s membership structure, Trump outlined plans for Gaza’s governance during his Truth Social announcement. He stated his support for “a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board’s High Representative.”
Trump described these leaders as “unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!” though he didn’t provide specific names or details about this governing body.
Criticism of the United Nations
The Board of Peace represents Trump’s proposed alternative to the United Nations, an organization he has frequently criticized. During the 80th session of the United Nations in September 2025, Trump delivered harsh remarks about the international body’s effectiveness.
“What is the point of the United Nations? You do nothing to support the end of war, other than write a pathetic letter or two, which does nothing,” Trump stated. “Empty words don’t solve wars… A bad escalator and a bad teleprompter is all I got from the United Nations.”
Response and Verification Efforts
News Of Los Angeles reached out to both the White House and the Kremlin for confirmation of the Bloomberg report and the various claims made about the Board of Peace. Neither entity provided immediate responses to the inquiries.
The unprecedented nature of charging nations for permanent membership in an international diplomatic body has raised questions about the board’s legitimacy and potential impact on traditional diplomatic structures. The pay-to-play model breaks from conventional international relations practices where membership in global organizations typically involves negotiated contributions based on economic capacity rather than fixed, large-sum payments for permanent status.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s Board of Peace introduces a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership
- Non-paying members face strict three-year limits on their participation
- The chairman retains unprecedented control over funds and membership decisions
- Several world leaders, including Putin, have received invitations despite ongoing international conflicts
