Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Receives Unusual Compliment from Trump

In a peculiar address, Donald Trump made headlines when he referred to Paraguay’s president, Santiago Peña, as a “young, handsome guy.” The remark was made during a meeting at the White House, where Trump hosted several global leaders.

The gathering was the inaugural meeting of Trump’s newly established Board of Peace, a platform he designed to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza following its conflict with Israel. Trump was explicit about the Board’s objective: “It’s called the Board of Peace, and it’s all about an easy word to say, but a hard word to produce – peace.”

Leaders from over two dozen countries including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar pledged $5 billion for the cause, marking a significant effort to restore peace in the region. Among those gathered were representatives from regions such as Albania, Argentina, and Egypt.

As Trump mingled with the visiting delegates, he came to Santiago Peña and quipped, “It’s always nice to be young and handsome.” He added, “Doesn’t mean we have to like you. I don’t like young, handsome men.”

The comment drew laughter and surprise from the audience. Trump further clarified, “Women? I like. Men, I don’t have any interest. That’s right, that’s right.”

Social media platforms buzzed with reactions to Trump’s unconventional remarks. On X, previously known as Twitter, users called out his timing and called the remarks embarrassing.

One user mentioned, “He’s a creepy old man,” while another noted, “Like zero self-awareness.” The incident drew comparisons to a similar remark Trump made last year about Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa during a meeting in Saudi Arabia. Despite al-Sharaa’s past as a fighter with al-Qaeda, Trump remarked, “young, attractive guy.”

Trump referred to al-Sharaa as a “tough guy” with a “very strong past” and an “amazing leader.”

Despite the controversy, Trump continues to emphasize his commitment to global peace and reconciliation efforts, as evidenced by his ongoing initiatives and meetings with leaders worldwide.