Trump aide says 'if anyone can make Gaza a beautiful destination spot, it's Trump'

Former Trump White House official Andrew Peek appeared on CNN's The Situation Room to discuss the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where he claimed Trump is capable of transforming the devastated area into a "beautiful destination spot."

During the segment, host Pamela Brown, 41, questioned Peek about whether he had participated in previous discussions during the Trump administration regarding converting Gaza into a luxury resort destination.

Brown highlighted that Donald Trump has publicly outlined proposals for reconstructing Gaza and "making it essentially a destination spot," and enquired of Peek, "As we know, Donald Trump has talked about rebuilding Gaza, making it essentially a destination spot. I'm just curious, given the fact that you were in this administration, were you ever a part of those discussions?".

Peek responded, "You know, the Mediterranean is a beautiful place. I have no doubt if anyone can make the Gaza Strip a beautiful destination spot, it's the president. But, unfortunately, no. I wasn't a part of that."

Peek held multiple positions within the Trump administration, most recently serving as Senior Director for Europe and Eurasia at the White House National Security Council, reports The Mirror US.

Earlier this year, Trump outlined proposals for a scheme in which the United States would take charge of Gaza, seeking to clear the territory of ordnance and reconstruct it into what he termed a "Riviera of the Middle East."

Earlier in 2025, Trump shared an AI-generated clip on his platform showing Gaza reimagined as an opulent beachfront destination bearing his trademark.

The contentious footage displayed scenes of youngsters climbing from debris into towering developments, a gilded Trump statue, and Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relaxing seaside.

The clip was initially crafted as mockery but subsequently evolved into a concept Trump started considering.

During Peek's broadcast, the Gaza ceasefire, negotiated through American and Israeli intermediaries, continued facing severe pressure.

Both parties had documented new hostilities since that point, with Israeli officials confirming two servicemen perished in a Hamas sniper/RPG assault, whilst Gaza medical authorities recorded over 40 fatalities in follow-up Israeli bombardments.

The upcoming round of talks encompasses deliberations on an American-supervised peacekeeping force, hostage releases, and Israel's military footprint in Gaza going forward.

This unfolds precisely as Vice President J.D. Vance touches down in Israel for ceasefire discussions.

Notwithstanding renewed violence and escalating tensions, Vance proclaimed he maintains 'tremendous confidence the ceasefire will endure,' stating, "I feel very optimistic. Can I say with 100% certainty that it's going to work? No."

Vance additionally declined to establish a deadline for retrieving all Israeli hostage remains alongside Hamas' weapons surrender. He warned that it will "take a little bit of time" to implement new security and humanitarian structures in Gaza.

"If Hamas doesn't comply with the deal, very bad things are going to happen. But I'm not going to do what the president of United States has thus far refused to do, which is put an explicit deadline on it, because a lot of this stuff is difficult," Vance declared.