Trump Accuses U.N. of Sabotage After Escalator Incident and Speech Issues
President Donald Trump has accused the United Nations of "triple sabotage" following a series of mishaps during his visit to the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on September 23, 2025. Trump alleges that an escalator malfunction, a teleprompter failure, and sound system issues were intentional acts, demanding a thorough investigation.
The Escalator Incident
The trouble began when the escalator carrying President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump abruptly stopped. Video footage circulating online shows the couple briefly stranded before walking up the remaining steps. Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General, suggested that a White House videographer inadvertently triggered a safety mechanism, causing the escalator to halt. This explanation has done little to quell speculation, fueled by the White House, that the incident was deliberate.
Trump described the event on Truth Social, stating, "The escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt. It stopped on a dime. It’s amazing that Melania and I didn’t fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first." He further added, "The people that did it should be arrested," indicating the Secret Service will investigate and that he has requested an "immediate investigation" from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
Teleprompter and Sound System Issues
In addition to the escalator malfunction, Trump reported that the teleprompter went "stone cold dark," and the sound system was faulty, leaving attendees unable to hear his speech without using interpreters' earpieces. "The first person I saw at the conclusion of the Speech was Melania… I said, ‘How did I do?’ And she said, ‘I couldn’t hear a word you said,’” Trump wrote, adding, “This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN.” A U.N. official told Reuters that the White House was responsible for operating the teleprompter, and the sound system was designed for translated speeches.
Conspiracy Theories and Reactions
The incidents have sparked various conspiracy theories on social media, with some suggesting that U.N. staff intentionally sabotaged the events to humiliate or endanger President Trump. Conservative influencers and Republican officials have called for consequences, with some even suggesting defunding the U.N. Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., has demanded a full investigation, stating, "The United States will not tolerate threats to our security or dignity at international forums."
Conversely, critics have dismissed these claims as distractions from other issues, such as documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Writer Tara Dublin called the uproar a "weak & dumb manufactured distraction."
U.N.'s Financial Difficulties
It's also important to note that the U.N. has faced financial challenges, leading to cost-saving measures like switching off elevators and escalators. These difficulties are partly attributed to delays in funding from the U.S.
Official Responses and Investigations
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that U.N. staff may have intentionally stopped the escalator, referencing a report where staff members joked about turning off escalators. The U.N. has stated its willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities in a transparent investigation. Guterres' spokesperson said he ordered a thorough investigation into the "incidents referred to by the United States."
| Incident | Trump's Claim | U.N. Response |
|---|---|---|
| Escalator Malfunction | Intentional sabotage | Safety mechanism triggered by US videographer |
| Teleprompter Failure | Intentional sabotage | Operated by the White House |
| Sound System Issues | Intentional sabotage | System designed for translated speeches |
The situation remains under investigation, and the truth behind these "sinister events" at the United Nations is yet to be definitively determined.
