NEW YORK – Former President Donald Trump’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025, was marked by unexpected technical difficulties that led to an extended, impromptu critique of the international body.
The incident began upon Trump’s arrival, where he encountered a malfunctioning escalator. The situation escalated inside the General Assembly hall when the teleprompters failed during his scheduled 15-minute speech. Forced to speak off-the-cuff, Trump extended his remarks to over 50 minutes, using the opportunity to sharply criticize the UN.
He accused the organization of inaction, citing seven wars he claimed to have resolved without UN assistance. He also attacked its funding of migrant journeys to the U.S. and what he described as ineffective climate and energy policies.
The event sparked immediate and polarized reactions. Supporters praised Trump’s unscripted focus on national sovereignty and security, viewing it as a bold stance against globalist institutions. Critics, however, described the technical mishaps and the ensuing speech as a global embarrassment.
Speculation about the cause of the failures ran high on social media. One user, C3, posted, “Think about this… The UN cut President Trump’s teleprompter to mess up his 15 minute speech so he talked shit about the UN,” reflecting theories of intentional sabotage among his supporters.
The White House reportedly demanded investigations into the glitches. UN officials, however, preliminary attributed the malfunctions to accidental triggers, denying any deliberate interference. The incident underscores the deeply divisive perceptions of both Trump and the United Nations on the world stage.
