Elon Musk ‘mocks’ Donald Trump’s Board of Peace at Davos: ‘Peace or Piece of Greenland?’ |
Elon Musk (Image source: Reuters)
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, a brief remark from Elon Musk cut through hours of formal speeches and policy talk. Speaking before an audience of political leaders and corporate executives, the Tesla and SpaceX chief made a pointed play on words that quickly drew attention to one of US President Donald Trump’s newest foreign policy initiatives.“I heard about the formation of the peace summit, and I was like, is that p-i-e-c-e?” Musk said, according to accounts from the event. He followed with, “You know, a little piece of Greenland, a little piece of Venezuela,” before adding, “All we want is peace.”
The room reacted with laughter and quiet chuckles. In Davos, where remarks are often carefully calibrated, the comment stood out. Observers widely interpreted it as a public dig at Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace, delivered on one of the world’s most visible global stages.
What is Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’
During his speech in Davos, Trump officially introduced the Board of Peace as a new platform for resolving conflicts and getting involved in diplomacy around the world. Supporters have called it a brave new way of thinking about international diplomacy, while critics have wondered how it would work with the institutions that already exist.Analysts and diplomats have expressed worries about the way things are run and the way they are set up. Trump is likely to have a big say in how the body is run, which raises questions about its independence and long-term credibility.There has also been a lot of interest in the proposed membership framework. According to media reports and early descriptions, countries may be offered limited-term membership, while permanent status could be tied to significant financial contributions, potentially running into hundreds of millions or even up to $1 billion. The administration has not released detailed rules, but critics argue such a model risks making the body appear exclusive rather than multilateral.Some commentators have further noted that several countries expected to show interest in the initiative are governed by authoritarian systems, adding to concerns about legitimacy and values.
Why Elon Musk’s comment matters
Musk is not a detached observer. His relationship with Trump has been unusually close, complicated, and highly public. Reports say that Musk was one of Trump’s biggest individual donors during the 2024 presidential campaign, giving more than $230 million. He also used his social media platform X to amplify Trump’s campaign messaging.After Trump returned to office, Musk was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His role ended in May 2025, when his status as a special government employee ran out. Even while he was in office, there were clear signs of tension, such as a public fight with Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro and disagreements over economic policy.Following Musk’s departure from DOGE, the relationship deteriorated further. Musk openly criticised Trump’s tax and spending legislation, triggering a sharp exchange. By the middle of 2025, the fight had turned into a public fight, with Trump saying that Musk’s immigration status could be looked into and hinting that the government might look into contracts and subsidies related to Musk’s companies.
A fragile truce, not a full reconciliation
By the end of 2025, things were starting to get better. Musk attended a high-profile White House dinner for the Saudi crown prince, where Trump greeted him warmly in public. Since then, political observers have described their relationship as a fragile truce rather than a full reset.Despite past clashes, Musk has indicated he may again provide significant financial backing to Republican candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. That context gives added weight to any public comment he makes about Trump or his initiatives.
Davos and the politics of signalling
Davos has long functioned as a venue where power is exercised through suggestion as much as policy. A single sentence can shape headlines and influence perception.Against that backdrop, Musk’s “Peace” versus “Piece” wordplay was more than a joke. It served as a reminder that his alignment with Trump remains conditional and potentially unstable. By publicly poking at the Board of Peace, Musk signalled that even Trump’s flagship ideas are open to scrutiny.
