At the same time that Donald Trump was making a big show of signing the initial charter of his so-called “Board of Peace” at Davos, Bulwark editor Sam Stein was quick to observe that the smattering of government leaders who joined him on the dais was lacking in star power.
The much-maligned new organization that the president has been hyping has attracted a collection of countries agreeing to sign up — none of them even remotely close to being considered a world power capable of doing much internationally.
As the American president signed the charter, Stein told the MS NOW “Morning Joe” panel that he’s not sure the White House is too pleased that the world’s major powers are snubbing him.
The Trump administration has raised hopes that at least 35 countries would sign on, but the turnout has been a slim 21 so far, which led Stein to point out, “There is no one from Europe on that stage, or was known from Europe on that stage. It is a list of semi-autocratic countries and Trump allies.”
“How disappointed is the White House that there is no one on the stage? Or are they totally comfortable with the idea that you do not have to have European countries, the likes of which [Treasury Secretary]Scott Bessent called — what did he call Denmark? — irrelevant.”
“Yeah, maybe you don't need relevant countries in there,” the analyst joked.