Former President Donald Trump has made headlines with his recent assertions of a “triple sabotage” incident during his visit to the United Nations in New York. Following a series of unfortunate events that transpired during his address to the global assembly, Trump took to social media to express his outrage. He described the occurrences as a “REAL DISGRACE” and detailed the events in a lengthy 357-word post.
Trump's troubles began when he and First Lady Melania Trump encountered an unexpected issue with the escalator that was supposed to transport them to the summit. According to Trump, the escalator “stopped on a dime,” leaving him relieved that neither he nor the First Lady “didn’t fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps.” His description highlights the potential dangers of the malfunction, emphasizing the precariousness of their situation.
As Trump took to the iconic green marble podium, he faced another setback when his teleprompter “went stone cold dark.” This technical glitch prompted Trump to reflect on the string of misfortunes he was experiencing. “Wow, first the escalator event, and now a bad teleprompter. What kind of a place is this?” he lamented in his post, showcasing his frustration over the situation.
Compounding his challenges, Trump sought feedback from Melania regarding his performance, to which she replied: “I couldn’t hear a word you said.” This comment led Trump to conclude that these mishaps were not mere coincidences but rather “triple sabotage” at the UN. He has since called for an “immediate” investigation into the incidents, coining the term “escalatorgate” to describe the diplomatic debacle.
In response to Trump's allegations, the UN organization issued a note to correspondents, clarifying the escalator incident. According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, a videographer from the US delegation may have inadvertently triggered the escalator's safety function. Dujarric explained that as the videographer was documenting the arrival, the escalator stopped when the First Lady and Trump mounted the steps. The situation was resolved quickly, with a technician resetting the escalator shortly after.
Despite the technical difficulties, Trump's message resonated globally during his combative speech at the General Assembly. He criticized the UN's purpose and issued a stark warning to European allies regarding migration, claiming their countries were “going to hell.” Trump deviated from his prepared remarks to recount his tumultuous entrance, stating, “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle.”
Following the events, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested on Fox News that the mishaps could have been part of a deliberate plot to humiliate the President. She asserted that accountability should be enforced if UN staff were found to have intentionally tried to sabotage Trump's experience. Leavitt's comments reflect the heightened tensions surrounding the former President's claims.
In his Wednesday post, Trump referenced a report from the Times of London, which suggested that UN staff had joked about turning off the escalators due to US funding cuts. This fueled Trump's indignation, leading him to demand that “the people that did it should be arrested!” His passionate response underscores his belief that the incidents were not only unfortunate but potentially orchestrated.
In conclusion, Trump's allegations of “triple sabotage” at the United Nations highlight the complex interplay of politics, diplomacy, and public perception. As investigations continue, the implications of these events will likely resonate beyond the walls of the UN.
