U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered strong praise for President Trump’s leadership, crediting his vision and resolve with achieving what many believed was impossible just months ago in Gaza. Speaking during the launch of the U.S.-initiated Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, Rubio described the ceasefire and hostage release as outcomes few analysts or diplomats thought could be reached without further bloodshed.

“We are here today because of President Trump’s vision,” Rubio said, recalling how widespread pessimism dominated discussions of Gaza only a short time earlier. According to Rubio, the prevailing assumption was that negotiations had failed, hostages were presumed dead, and that any path forward would require additional fighting. He emphasized that Trump rejected that fatalism, choosing instead to pursue a solution others dismissed as unrealistic.

Rubio framed the breakthrough as the result of decisive leadership rather than incremental diplomacy. He credited Trump with having the courage to challenge entrenched assumptions, push all parties toward accountability, and remain personally invested in achieving results. In Rubio’s account, the administration’s approach combined pressure, clarity of purpose, and an unwavering belief that a negotiated outcome was still achievable.

The remarks came as the administration formally introduced the Board of Peace, a new U.S.-led body tasked with overseeing Gaza reconstruction and contributing to mediation efforts in other global conflicts. The executive board includes senior figures such as Rubio and Jared Kushner, signaling that the initiative is intended to carry sustained political weight rather than function as a symbolic forum.

Supporters of the administration view the ceasefire and hostage release as validation of Trump’s unconventional foreign policy style, arguing that willingness to defy consensus and apply leverage where previous efforts stalled produced tangible humanitarian and security gains. They contrast the outcome with years of diplomatic stagnation that failed to deliver lasting results or relief for civilians.

Rubio’s remarks positioned the Gaza breakthrough as more than a single achievement, portraying it as a case study in leadership that prioritizes outcomes over process. By crediting Trump’s determination and willingness to “dream the impossible,” Rubio underscored a broader message emerging from Davos: that sustained peace, even in the most entrenched conflicts, remains attainable when backed by resolve, pressure, and clear strategic intent.