10
Loading video...
By Jesus Mesa and Hannah Parry
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump had a bumpy start to his speech at the United Nations on Tuesday, after he encountered issues with a faulty escalator and a malfunctioning teleprompter.
"The teleprompter was broken and the escalator came to a sudden hault as we were ridding up to the podium, but both of those events probably made the speech more interesting than it would have been otherwise," Trump said on Truth Social, after his speech.
However, he said it was still a "great honor" to speak before the U.N., "even if, their equipment is somewhat faulty."
Read More on Politics
Why It Matters
Trump returned to the United Nations on Tuesday to boast of his second-term foreign policy achievements and lash out at the world body as a feckless institution, while warning Europe it would be ruined if it doesn't turn away from a "double-tailed monster" of ill-conceived migration and green energy policies.
His roughly hourlong speech was both grievance-filled and self-congratulatory as he used the platform to praise himself and lament that some of his fellow world leaders' countries were “going to hell.”
What To Know
Footage of Trump and first lady Melania arriving at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on Tuesday showed them stepping onto the building's escalator, only for it to immediately grind to a halt. After a confused pause, Trump and Melania continued up the now-stalled escalator steps, while their aides took the nearby stairs.
Trump later took to the stage to deliver his speech to the U.N. General Assembly, but encountered another problem—the onstage teleprompter was not working.
The president took the issue in his stride, saying that he did not mind speaking without the teleprompter, but joked that whoever was operating it was in "big trouble."
Trump addressed the awkward moment later on in his opening remarks, saying, “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle. If the first lady wasn’t in great shape, she would have fallen, but she’s in great shape...These are two things I got from the United Nations, a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter. Thank you very much. And by the way, it’s working now.”
The jovial remarks drew laughter, but Trump's speech then took a more serious and aggressive tone as he criticized the U.N. for its stance on global immigration. Though Trump's delivery was at times unscripted due to the teleprompter malfunction, he framed the experience as a benefit.
“That way you speak more from the heart,” he said, drawing on his comfort with off-the-cuff remarks.
Key Points From Trump's UN Speech
Trump's speech emphasized his administration's foreign policy priorities while delivering a sweeping critique of multilateral institutions, global energy policy, and immigration.
Trump stated that the United Nations was failing to fulfill its foundational mission, describing it as a body of "empty words" that "doesn't even come close" to addressing global conflicts. He reaffirmed his administration's withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council, and said the United States was reevaluating its participation in hundreds of international organizations to determine their alignment with the “America First” agenda.
The president issued warnings to European nations, condemning their energy and migration policies. He called green energy initiatives a “scam” and said lenient migration policies were destroying European culture. Trump described the combination as a “double-tailed monster” that “destroys everything in its wake.”
...
Trump highlighted what he described as major diplomatic accomplishments, claiming he had helped end conflicts in seven regions, including Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, and Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said it was “too bad” these outcomes came from U.S. actions rather than the United Nations, which he said “did not even try to help in any of them.”
On the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump criticized international momentum to recognize Palestinian statehood, saying such moves amounted to a “reward” for Hamas. He called for stronger sanctions on Russia and urged European nations to halt purchases of Russian oil, proposing “a very strong round of powerful tariffs” to stop the war in Ukraine “very quickly.”
Despite ongoing conflicts, Trump repeated his aspiration for a Nobel Peace Prize, saying the “real prize” would be lives saved through the end of “endless wars.”
What People Are Saying
Trump, addressing the United Nations on Tuesday, said: “The U.N. has such tremendous potential. I’ve always said it. But it’s not even coming close to living up to that potential.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appearing on Fox & Friends Tuesday: “I think what the president is going to do is challenge the U.N. to find its meaning and its purpose and its utility as an organization because it doesn’t seem to be doing the job."
What Happens Next
After his U.N. speech, Trump is scheduled to meet one-on-one with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as the leaders of Ukraine, Argentina and the European Union. He will also hold a group meeting with officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. He is expected to return to Washington after hosting a Tuesday night reception with more than 100 world leaders.
Update 09/23/25, 1:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines