Donald Trump Accuses UN of “Triple Sabotage” During General Assembly Visit
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded a formal investigation into what he described as a “triple sabotage” during his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted three incidents: an escalator that suddenly stopped as he and First Lady Melania Trump stepped on, a teleprompter malfunction during his speech, and an audio issue inside the assembly hall.
Escalator Incident Raises Security Questions
Trump claimed the escalator abruptly halted in what he believes was a deliberate act. According to reports, UN staff had previously joked about stopping escalators. Trump called the incident “sabotage” and urged the preservation of all surveillance footage, particularly footage of the emergency stop button.
“The Secret Service is involved. This was absolutely sabotage,” Trump wrote. He further demanded the arrest of anyone responsible, calling the situation “a real disgrace.”
A UN spokesperson, however, suggested the issue may have been caused by Trump’s own videographer, who was filming while walking backward up the escalator, potentially triggering a safety function.
Teleprompter Breakdown During Speech
During his address, Trump also criticized a teleprompter failure, joking that “whoever’s operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.” The issue was eventually fixed, but a UN official later clarified that the teleprompter belonged to the U.S. delegation itself and was connected to the UN’s system using White House equipment.
Audio Problems in the Auditorium
Trump’s third complaint centered on audio malfunctions. He argued that world leaders without interpreter earpieces “couldn’t hear a thing” during parts of his speech. In response, UN officials explained that the system was specifically designed for translated speeches delivered through earpieces in six official languages.
Calls for Investigation
Trump announced that he would be sending a formal letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanding an immediate probe. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz backed Trump’s concerns, calling the incidents “unacceptable” and insisting on a swift investigation.
“The United States will not tolerate threats to our security or dignity at international forums,” Waltz posted on X.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also raised alarms, stating, “If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately.”
UN Response
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General Guterres, denied any wrongdoing by UN staff. He reiterated that the teleprompter belonged to the U.S. delegation and suggested that the escalator issue may have been triggered accidentally.
Despite these clarifications, Trump doubled down on his claims, insisting the series of malfunctions was no coincidence. “Not one, not two, but three very sinister events,” he wrote. “This was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”