Today's White House vibe was, honestly, pretty wild. If you were expecting a standard, dry briefing about budget allocations or departmental updates, you haven't been paying attention lately. President Trump's cabinet meeting today essentially turned into a global strategy session, specifically focusing on the massive "Board of Peace" announcement that just dropped.
Basically, the administration is moving into what they’re calling "Phase Two" of their Gaza ceasefire plan. It’s not just a US thing anymore. Trump’s been hitting the phones, and today we found out he’s officially invited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Argentina’s Javier Milei to join the founding executive board.
The New Power Players in Gaza
You've probably heard the names floating around, but seeing them all on one "board" is something else. It’s a strange mix of old-school diplomacy and new-age Trump allies.
The heavy hitters on this board include:
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- Marco Rubio (Secretary of State & National Security Adviser)
- Tony Blair (Former British PM)
- Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law)
- Steve Witkoff (Presidential Envoy)
- Marc Rowan (Apollo Global Management CEO)
It’s an interesting squad. You have Rubio, who’s basically become the most dominant US diplomat since Kissinger, sitting next to Tony Blair, who has been working Middle East peace angles for decades. Then you’ve got the business guys like Marc Rowan and Ajay Banga from the World Bank. The goal? To treat the reconstruction of Gaza like a massive, high-stakes real estate and infrastructure project rather than just a nebulous peace treaty.
What’s Actually Happening on the Ground?
People keep asking, "Is this just for show?" Kinda, but also no. There’s a new group called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). It’s led by Dr. Ali Sha’ath, a technocrat tasked with actually getting the lights back on and water running.
The security side is where things get even more intense. Major General Jasper Jeffers has been named the Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). His job is basically to lead the demilitarization of the area while making sure aid actually gets to people instead of disappearing into the black market.
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The Greenland Tariff Curveball
But wait, there’s more. During the same meeting, the conversation took a sharp turn toward the Arctic. Trump announced a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries—including France, Germany, and the UK—specifically because they’re blocking the US "purchase" of Greenland.
Honestly, the room must have been spinning. One minute they’re talking about peace in the Middle East, and the next, they’re threatening a trade war with our oldest allies over a giant ice-covered island. He even said if a deal isn't in place by June, that tariff jumps to 25%. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is already calling it a "fundamental disagreement," which is diplomat-speak for "this is a disaster."
Domestic Drama: Energy and Sanctuary Cities
While the international stuff is flashy, the mood back home is a bit grimmer. A new report from the EIA just hit, showing that Trump’s promise to slash energy bills in half has... well, it hasn't happened. Electricity prices actually went up about 6.7% over the last year. In places like DC, they’ve spiked by 23%.
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Then there’s the sanctuary city fight. The White House is doubling down on threats to cut funding for cities that won't cooperate with immigration crackdowns. We're seeing federal agents—and sometimes military troops—surging into places like LA, Portland, and Chicago. Courts are still blocking a lot of the funding cuts, but the administration is clearly not backing down.
The Real Outlook for 2026
If you’re looking for the "bottom line" on today’s meeting, it’s that the administration is going for a total "shocker" strategy. By launching a massive, multi-national peace board and a trade war at the same time, they’re keeping everyone off balance.
Here is what you should actually watch for in the next few weeks:
- The 10% Tariff Implementation: Check your labels. If you buy stuff from the "Greenland Eight" (France, Germany, UK, etc.), prices are likely going up in February.
- The Board of Peace First Meeting: Watch if Erdogan and al-Sisi actually show up. If they do, this becomes a legitimate regional power bloc.
- Credit Card Interest Caps: Trump mentioned on Truth Social that he wants a 10% cap on interest rates. If the cabinet starts moving on this, it could be the "tangible win" the GOP needs before the midterms.
The administration is betting that voters will care more about the bold moves in Gaza and Venezuela than the fact that their power bills are higher than ever. Whether that bet pays off depends on how fast people feel those "tangible economic wins" in their own wallets.
Actionable Insights for Moving Forward
If you're trying to navigate the fallout from today's cabinet meeting, here are three things you should do right now:
- Audit Your Supply Chain: If you run a business that imports from Europe, specifically the eight countries mentioned (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Finland), start looking for alternative suppliers or prepare for a 10% cost increase by mid-February.
- Watch the Fed: With the administration pushing for credit card interest caps, there's going to be a massive tug-of-war with the Federal Reserve. Keep an eye on your variable interest rates; they might get volatile before they get lower.
- Monitor Energy Assistance: Since the administration is slashing some federal home energy tax credits, look into state-level programs or local utility rebates to offset the 6-15% price hikes seen in many regions this year.