Trump's UN Return: Scrutiny, Skepticism, and Equipment Glitches
President Donald Trump's return to the UN General Assembly sparked a debate about the organization's relevance, coinciding with budget cuts and repeated questioning of its purpose by the Trump administration. The week was marked by uncertainty and criticism of the UN's effectiveness in addressing global issues.
Trump's Criticism and the UN's Response
On the first day of the debate, President Trump directly criticized the UN, stating it was not living up to its potential. He cited a lack of UN involvement in resolving conflicts. The UN's efforts to address issues like Russia's actions, Israel's conduct in Gaza, and Iran's nuclear program appeared to fall short during the week.
"I ended seven wars, dealt with the leaders of each and every one of these countries and never even received a phone call from the United Nations offering to help in finalizing the deal," Trump said in his remarks.
Pushback and Praise: A Mixed Reception
While UN leaders avoided obsequious behavior toward Trump, a number of U.S. allies, including France, Canada, and the U.K., formally recognized a Palestinian state. Some Latin American leaders also protested Trump administration policies. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted instances where the U.S. had brokered successful agreements. Some leaders, like Argentine President Javier Milei and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, praised Trump, seeking to secure favorable deals with the U.S.
Escalator Debacle and Teleprompter Troubles
Equipment malfunctions became a surprising focus of attention. An escalator carrying Trump and the first lady malfunctioned, and his teleprompter failed at the start of his speech. Trump blamed the UN for these issues, prompting accusations of sabotage from his administration. These incidents highlighted the pressure on the UN to maintain its reputation.
- Escalator malfunctioned with Trump on board.
- Teleprompter failed during Trump's speech.
- Trump administration accused the UN of sabotage.
Ukraine and European Concerns
Following Russia's drone incursions into Eastern European airspace, Trump's initial tepid response shifted after he stated NATO should shoot down such drones and claimed Ukraine could win the war. While this appeared to signal stronger support for Ukraine, concerns arose that Trump was shifting the burden of supporting Kyiv to Europe. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted Russia's openness to negotiations while maintaining conditions unacceptable to Kyiv and Europe.
Visa Denials and Absent Voices
The Trump administration denied visas to representatives from several countries, including the Palestinian Authority, citing policy disagreements and alleged ties to terrorist groups. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was forced to address the assembly via video link. Other visa denials targeted officials from Iran and Brazil.
| Country | Reason for Visa Denial |
|---|---|
| Palestinian Authority | Alleged ties to terrorist groups |
| Iran | Alleged terror ties |
| Brazil | Partnership with Cuba on hiring Cuban doctors |
Progress on Haiti and Gaza
Despite broader gridlock, progress was made on Haiti, with a U.S.-backed proposal to strengthen a multinational support mission gaining traction. Trump also presented a post-war Gaza proposal, though it lacked a clear path forward in stalled negotiations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the proposal as "fruitful."
No Reform on the Horizon
Discussions of UN reform were noticeably absent, despite ongoing criticisms of the organization's ineffectiveness. UN Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged the challenges facing the UN. Some argue that the U.S., as the host country and largest financial contributor, unduly influences the UN, exacerbating its inherent flaws.
“It would be necessary to fix some of its member states, and in particular the most permanent of the five permanent, which is the one that exercises a policy of manipulating the United Nations,” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said in an interview.
