Argentina’s President Javier Milei became the subject of online buzz on Thursday after appearing in Nike sneakers at the signing ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative at the World Economic Forum.
A photo circulated on social media showing Milei shaking hands with Trump on stage, dressed in a suit but with black Nike athletic shoes, standing out amid the formal setting. The image garnered widespread comments on the casual footwear choice at the high-level event.
That’s crazy pic.twitter.com/3MCvWR81o2
— 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐒 (@Antunes1) January 22, 2026
Trump launched the Board of Peace during the forum, describing it as starting with Gaza’s ceasefire but potentially expanding globally. “Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” Trump said, noting the U.N.’s untapped potential.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the board would prioritize the Gaza peace plan but could exemplify solutions elsewhere.
Members include Middle East powers like Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Indonesia, Argentina, Israel and Hungary. Trump invited permanent members to fund it with $1 billion each.
No other U.N. Security Council permanent member has joined besides the U.S. Russia is studying the proposal, France declined, Britain is not joining at present, and China has not responded.
The board was endorsed by a U.N. Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza plan. U.N. spokesperson Rolando Gomez said engagement would be limited to that context.
Board members also include Rubio, U.S. Gaza negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Kushner outlined a “master plan” for Gaza redevelopment, stating: “We did a master plan… We’ve developed ways to redevelop Gaza. As President Trump has been saying, it has amazing potential. This is for the people of Gaza.”
He described zoning, including “workforce housing” in Rafah and “New Gaza” as a hub for industry and employment: “Once this starts going, we think it should have 100% full employment opportunity for everybody there.”
Kushner emphasized demilitarization: “If Hamas doesn’t demilitarise, that would be what holds this plan back.” He called for focus on implementation in the next 100 days, humanitarian aid, and private sector investment.
🚨 NO WAY: Jared Kushner just presented a Gaza “master plan” at Trump’s new “Board of Peace” event this morning.
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) January 22, 2026
Slides literally included “New Gaza” and “New Rafah.”
Let that sink in.
A private citizen. No office. No mandate. No accountability. pic.twitter.com/MrsEurbTmB
Critics, including commentator Brian Allen, questioned the plan’s feasibility in a post on social media, sharing a clip of Kushner’s remarks and noting his opinion.
No immediate response from Milei’s office was available regarding the sneakers. The signing was covered by outlets including Reuters. The viral photo was posted online by Antunes1. Kushner’s remarks were from the board event. Allen’s critique was shared on social media by allenanalysis.
