Nationwide — During a peace agreement ceremony in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump called a female reporter “beautiful” and said he wishes there were more reporters like her. The moment came as leaders from Congo and Rwanda signed a deal aimed at ending decades of conflict. The agreement marks a major step toward peace in eastern Congo, where clashes between armed groups have caused widespread suffering, displacement, and millions of deaths. As the event began, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt introduced reporter Hariana Veras to speak.
Veras, an African-born journalist covering the White House, shared what she saw during her visit to Congo. She said people felt hopeful and added that President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo wanted to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the peace talks.
Trump praised her words, saying, “So beautifully stated.” He then also told her she is “beautiful”.
“I’m not allowed to say that,” he joked. “You know that could be the end of my political career, but you are beautiful—and you’re beautiful inside. I wish I had more reporters like you.”
Meanwhile, the peace deal aims to end decades of violence involving over 100 armed groups that have caused millions of deaths and massive displacement in Congo. Trump said he would pressure both countries to stick to the agreement, calling it a “glorious triumph” for peace.
According to The Daily Beast, the Washington Accord also gives the U.S. access to Congo’s valuable minerals like gold and lithium. Trump took credit for several recent peace deals, including those involving India and Pakistan, India and Iran, and the new Congo-Rwanda agreement. He joked that the deal should have been named the “Trump Accord” instead.