Former President Donald Trump has called for an investigation into what he terms a “triple sabotage” during his recent visit to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. Taking to social media, Trump claimed that a series of technical mishaps—including a halted escalator, a teleprompter failure, and audio issues—were deliberate acts intended to undermine him. In a post on Truth Social, he expressed his outrage: “A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!”
During his speech on Tuesday morning in New York, Trump openly addressed the technical difficulties he encountered, stating, “These are the two things I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter.” He further elaborated on his social media platform, highlighting that the audio was “completely off” during his address. CNN has reached out to the United Nations Secretary General for comment regarding these claims.
Trump's complaints reflect his longstanding skepticism about the efficacy of the United Nations, an organization he has critiqued numerous times. In his post, he remarked, “No wonder the United Nations hasn’t been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do,” while criticizing the technical malfunctions he experienced.
Trump recounted a specific incident involving the escalator, saying, “First, the escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt.” He expressed relief that he and First Lady Melania Trump did not fall, attributing their safety to tightly holding the handrail. “It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster,” he stated.
In a dramatic turn, Trump labeled the situation as “absolutely sabotage,” referencing a report from the London Times that suggested UN staff had joked about disabling escalators and elevators for his arrival. He insisted that those responsible should face arrest.
A spokesperson for the UN addressed the escalator incident, explaining that a “built-in safety mechanism” had been triggered, causing it to stop when Trump and Melania attempted to use it. UN Secretary General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted that the mechanism might have been activated by a videographer in the U.S. delegation.
Trump also discussed the teleprompter issues, stating that it was initially “stone cold dark” when he was set to deliver his speech. There has been a dispute between the administration and the UN over who was responsible for the technical difficulties, with conflicting claims about the operation of the teleprompter.
According to Trump, after his remarks, he was informed that “the sound was completely off in the Auditorium where the Speech was made.” He indicated that world leaders could not hear the speech unless they utilized the interpreters’ earpieces. Following these incidents, Trump announced his intention to send a letter to UN leadership, demanding an investigation and the preservation of security tapes from the escalator.
“This wasn’t a coincidence; this was triple sabotage at the UN,” Trump asserted. “They ought to be ashamed of themselves. I’m sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary General, and I demand an immediate investigation.”
In a show of solidarity, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated on Wednesday that the embassy has sent formal demands to UN Secretary General António Guterres regarding the technical difficulties experienced during Trump’s speech. He characterized these lapses as “unacceptable” and indicative of a “broken institution” that poses serious safety and security risks.
The demands from the US include results from a UN internal investigation into the escalator stoppage and explanations for the teleprompter and audio issues. The White House also echoed calls for an investigation, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressing concerns about potential intentional actions during the incident. She shared a screenshot from the British newspaper The Times, which reported jokes made by UN staff about turning off the escalators for Trump’s arrival.
This unfolding story highlights the tensions between the former president and the United Nations, raising questions about operational protocols and international diplomatic relations. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how these incidents will impact perceptions of the UN’s role on the global stage.
