President Donald Trump delivered a contentious speech at the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders reacted with a mix of discomfort and amusement as he questioned the organization’s effectiveness and criticized its approach to several global issues. Trump’s address, which touched on climate change, Ukraine, Gaza, and migration, highlighted his skepticism toward the U.N.’s role in global governance.
During his speech, Trump took aim at the U.N.’s record on climate change, calling it a ‘con job’ and arguing that green energy initiatives were ‘bankrupt.’ He also criticized the organization’s stance on global conflicts, claiming that he had personally ended seven wars rather than the U.N. He further addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, accusing NATO allies of hypocrisy for continuing to purchase Russian oil despite the conflict.
World leaders, including Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, acknowledged Trump’s blunt approach but emphasized the U.N.’s importance in addressing global challenges. Braže noted that European nations still view the U.N. as a central forum for tackling global issues, despite its need for reform. Tsahkna echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of cutting off Russian energy exports to weaken the war effort.
Trump’s speech also raised concerns over migration, with him accusing the U.N. of ‘financing’ illegal immigration into the U.S. and warning that uncontrolled migration was ‘ruining’ Europe. He further criticized U.N. efforts to recognize Palestinian statehood, labeling such actions a reward for Hamas and urging immediate hostage releases in Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Trump’s approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict, arguing that the U.S. must exert pressure on Israel to end the war. Macron emphasized that while Trump expressed a desire for peace, the U.S.’s role in supplying weapons to Israel meant it had a significant impact on the conflict’s continuation.
The speech also sparked discussions on the U.N.’s overall effectiveness, with some questioning whether the organization was ‘paralyzed’ and others calling for deeper reforms. Trump’s recent review of the U.N. was expected to yield insights, but experts suggested he had not provided a comprehensive roadmap for change. As tensions over global governance persist, the speech has reignited debates about the U.N.’s role and the potential for restructuring its operations to address modern challenges effectively.