Trump demands investigation into ‘sabotage’ during U.N. speech
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an investigation into what he said were “sinister events” before and during his high-profile United Nations speech a day earlier.
Before Trump’s address to the U.N. General Assembly’s 80th session in New York City, the escalator he and his wife Melania were riding stopped. Both were holding onto the railing at the time.
Then, Trump opened his speech saying the teleprompter was not working. After the speech, Trump learned from the first lady that she couldn’t hear anything he said on stage because the sound was off in the room.
The White House called for an investigation on Tuesday after The Times’ Washington Editor Katy Balls reported on Sunday about an escalator stunt.
“To mark Trump’s arrival, UN staff members have joked that they may turn off the escalators and elevators and simply tell him they ran out of money, so he has to walk up the stairs,” she wrote in a piece on Sunday.
The United Nations blamed Trump’s team for the escalator stoppage.
Trump shot back on Wednesday in a social media post.
“This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN,” Trump wrote. “They ought to be ashamed of themselves. I’m sending a copy of this letter to the secretary general, and I demand an immediate investigation.”
In the address, Trump criticized European leaders and the United Nations.
“The U.N. has such tremendous potential … but it’s not even coming close to living up to that potential for the most part,” Trump said.
Trump said Tuesday’s incidents confirmed his concerns about the international organization founded in 1945.
“No wonder the United Nations hasn’t been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do,” the second-term Republican president said. “All security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button. The Secret Service is involved.”
The Center Square was unsuccessful getting comment from Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for U.N. Secretary General António Guterres of Portugal.
Latest News Stories
Frankfort Earns Clean Audit, Receives National Finance Award for 35th Consecutive Year
Poll: Young adults not confident in 2026 election fairness
Narco interdiction at sea isn’t new, CBP, Coast Guard have been doing it for years
Government shutdown halts visa, permanent resident approvals
Frankfort Approves Plan for 43-Home First Phase of Stalled Country Crossing Subdivision
Ads roll on, money pours in, and SCORE Act waits
Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for October 16, 2025
Student Initiative Leads to Lunch Program Overhaul at Summit Hill
Frankfort Park District Awaits State Agreement on DCEO Grant Amid Public Interest
Universities respond to new federal Grad PLUS loan caps
Report shows California leads in debt among all 50 states
