U.S. President Donald Trump met with world leaders to formalize his proposed “Board of Peace” at a special signing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
But while the event was meant to project diplomacy, the internet quickly became fixated on one very specific, and very unexpected, detail.
Although many of America’s longest-standing allies, including most of Western Europe, did not attend the event, Argentina was among the countries that signed on to the board.
Highlights
- Trump hosted a 'Board of Peace' signing at Davos, attended by Argentina but missing many Western European allies.
- Argentine President Javier Milei's black Nike sneakers at the signing went viral for clashing with his formal suit.
- Netizens compared Milei's sneakers to Venezuelan President Maduro's viral Nike tracksuit outfit.
Trump and Milei's handshake was trolled online, but not for the reasons you might think
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
During the ceremony, Trump appeared on stage alongside Argentine President Javier Milei for a firm handshake, but the moment went viral for something far more zoomed-in than the handshake itself.
As the camera panned down, it featured Milei’s pair of black Nike sneakers.
Netizens had a blast trolling the president, not only for the fact that the shoes seemed to be a mismatch for his formal suit, but also for the fact that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was also wearing Nike when he was captured by the Trump administration earlier this month.
Pictures of Maduro wearing a black and gray Nike Tech sweatsuit went viral following the attack, causing the tracksuit to be sold out at retailers.
“WHAT ARE THOSE!?” said one person after the image was shared online.
Trump also reportedly gifted Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio four pairs of shoes, leading one user to joke he should give the president of Argentina some as well. “Trump needs to order him some nice shoes, too,” they said.
“40 billion dollars and bro got sneakers on,” said one user.
Image credits: Antunes1/X
“Trump in sharp classic dress shoes, Milei rocking black Nike sneakers and casually rolled-up trousers at the Board of Peace signing in Davos. If Trump hadn't scolded Zelensky, Milei might have shown up in a full denim jacket too,” an X user joked, throwing back to the time Trump had commented about the Ukrainian president not wearing a suit.
Social media users mocked Milei for wearing shoes with the suit
Image credits: kinjal_gs/X
Another user said, “So Javier Milei, the Argentinian president, attended Donald Trump’s ‘Gaza Board of Peace’ Charter Signing, wearing Nike trainers. Somehow, the shoes matched the seriousness of the exercise. The board got exactly the gravity it deserved.”
People also came to Milei's defense, with one person saying, “He’s comfortable and it actually looks good,” as another clarified, “As long as he's comfortable.”
Image credits: Antunes1/X
A third explained the reason behind the sneakers, saying, “Argentine President Javier Milei wore black Nike sneakers with a suit at Davos 2026 during the Gaza ceasefire signing. It wasn’t a fashion statement, he has chronic spinal injuries from a past motorcycle accident and the shoes provide necessary support during long events.”
One person likened it to the time they “couldnt find my formal shoes right before leaving for a funeral" and "had to pull this. 0/10 cant recommend.”
The goals of Trump's board include “promoting stability” and restoring “lawful governance” in conflict zones, including reconstructing the Gaza Strip. But critics have seen it as an initiative to create a MAGA-fied corollary to the United Nations, an institution Trump has repeatedly disparaged.
The charter gives Trump near-complete control of the body, including the right to invite and expel member states at will as well as veto power over all decisions. The Board also has a membership fee of $1bn.