Former US President Donald Trump stated on 20/1 that a "Peace Council" he is promoting could potentially replace the United Nations. Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump criticized the UN's effectiveness. "The United Nations hasn't really been very helpful," Trump said. "I appreciate its potential, but the UN has never lived up to that potential." He added that the UN "should have resolved the wars I ended. I never turned to them, never even thought of it."

When a reporter asked whether his newly announced Peace Council, intended to oversee Gaza's reconstruction, could supersede the UN – an organization established 80 years ago to uphold global peace – Trump responded, "Possibly." However, he did not dismiss the idea of both organizations co-existing. "I think the UN should continue to operate, because it has great potential," he remarked.

US President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference at the White House on 20/1. *Photo: AP*

The Peace Council, as initially envisioned by Trump, was a small assembly of world leaders tasked with overseeing a peace plan for Gaza. The scope of this body has since expanded. Trump extended invitations to approximately 60 nations, indicating the council would soon mediate global conflicts, akin to a "miniature UN Security Council."

The executive board of the Council includes Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and former UK prime minister Tony Blair. Trump is likely to chair the Council and could maintain this position even after his US presidential term concludes. He would only be replaced "when voluntarily resigning or losing legal capacity by executive board consensus," according to a draft document on the Peace Council's statutes obtained by CNN.

Trump earlier elaborated on his rationale for establishing the organization. "I wish we didn't need a Peace Council," he said. "You know, in the wars I settled, the UN never helped me at all."

Hong Hanh (According to AP, CNN)