US President Donald Trump has accused the United Nations of orchestrating a series of technical malfunctions during his address to the UN General Assembly, calling the incidents ‘sinister events’ and demanding an investigation.
During Tuesday’s speech, Trump faced a series of technical disruptions, including a malfunctioning teleprompter, an escalator that stopped mid-ride, and sound system issues that prevented attendees from hearing his address. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the events were not coincidental, but rather a deliberate act of sabotage. ‘This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN,’ he wrote, calling for an investigation into the matter and suggesting that the Secret Service was involved.
However, some media outlets and UN officials have raised questions about the causes of the glitches, suggesting they may have stemmed from Trump’s own team. For instance, a videographer from Trump’s team accidentally triggered the emergency stop button on the escalator, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. Additionally, Politico reported that the faulty teleprompter used during the speech was provided by Trump’s staff, further indicating possible internal causes for the technical issues.
While Trump has sent a copy of his complaint to Guter, he has demanded an ‘immediate investigation’ into the matter. This incident has drawn significant media attention and has raised questions about the extent of the sabotage allegations, as some sources suggest the problems could have resulted from internal missteps rather than a coordinated effort by the UN.
The UN headquarters in New York City, which has been under scrutiny for its deteriorating conditions, has been the subject of media reports. Politico noted that the building is ‘falling into disrepair’ a decade after its last renovation, which may have contributed to the technical failures during Trump’s visit. However, these conditions do not negate the possibility of accidental issues or missteps by Trump’s staff.
The situation has also raised broader questions about the relationship between the US and the UN, with Trump’s strong criticisms of the organization adding to the tension. While some media and officials have downplayed the sabotage claim, the incident continues to fuel political discourse and media coverage surrounding the UN’s role and its interactions with US leaders.