Trump Reshapes UN Relations in 2025 General Assembly

A Shift in Tone at the UN General Assembly

In 2018, President Donald Trump faced mocking laughter from world leaders during his first United Nations General Assembly address. Seven years later, the scene could not be more different. Instead of ridicule, Trump’s presence at the UN in 2025 is marked by calculated diplomacy, flattery, and recognition of his influence in reshaping global politics.

Once viewed as a disruptive novice on the world stage, Trump now commands attention as a key figure in a shifting international order that places less reliance on multilateral institutions like the UN.

Trump’s New Role: A Power Broker in Global Politics

Trump arrives at this year’s UNGA as a president who has openly questioned the relevance of international bodies and slashed U.S. contributions to them. Yet, world leaders are now eager to meet him, hoping to secure his favor and influence.

While Trump once struggled to be taken seriously at the UN, he now positions himself as an alternative to traditional diplomacy, leveraging personal relationships with leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, Trump’s promise to quickly end major conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza remains unfulfilled. His unilateral approach—bypassing collective solutions in favor of private negotiations—has yet to deliver tangible peace.

The UN and Trump: A Complicated Relationship

Trump has long been critical of the UN. Even before his presidency, he mocked its architecture and sparred with diplomats over the construction of Trump World Tower near UN headquarters.

Now in his second term, his influence on the UN is undeniable:

• Funding Cuts: The U.S. has stopped payments to the UN budget and reduced support for humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions.
• Withdrawals: Trump pulled the U.S. from UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council, citing inefficiency and ideological bias.
• Security Council Maneuvers: The U.S. has occasionally sided with Russia and China on key resolutions, including a Ukraine measure that avoided blaming Moscow.

These moves have weakened the institution financially and politically, leaving allies uncertain about Washington’s commitment to global governance.

Conflict Over Israel and Gaza

The Gaza war has further strained Trump’s relationship with UN member states. While nearly 150 countries back a two-state solution conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the U.S. stands opposed. Trump has resisted international calls to pressure Israel, opting instead to host private talks with leaders of Muslim-majority nations like Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Republicans argue that the UN is hostile to Israel and riddled with inefficiencies, while Trump frames his alternative diplomacy as more effective than multilateral discussions.

Trump’s UNGA Agenda

During his 2025 UNGA appearance, Trump plans to:

• Highlight his administration’s claimed “historic accomplishments,” including peace initiatives in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Criticize globalist institutions for weakening the world order.
• Meet with leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Argentinian President Javier Milei.
• Hold multilateral talks with Muslim-majority nations on the Gaza conflict.
• Meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres as part of protocol.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the speech, saying Trump will stress America’s renewed strength while questioning the effectiveness of global institutions.

From “Rocket Man” to Global Power Player

Trump’s UN speeches during his first term were often remembered for his sharp insults and boasts. He once labeled North Korea’s Kim Jong Un “rocket man” and threatened to “totally destroy” the regime.

The laughter of 2018 followed Trump’s claim that his administration had achieved more than nearly any in U.S. history. Today, world leaders approach him differently—no longer laughing, but seeking influence in a world where U.S. leadership looks very different.

Conclusion: The UN at a Crossroads

Trump’s second-term return to the UN highlights the fragile state of multilateralism. While the UN remains a symbol of global cooperation, its influence is waning in the face of unilateral moves by powerful states.

Trump embodies this shift—no longer dismissed, but courted. Whether his approach delivers lasting solutions or accelerates the decline of the post-World War II order remains to be seen.

Read our previous post about Putin Offers One-Year Extension on Nuclear Arms

FAQs

Why was Trump laughed at during his 2018 UN speech?
In 2018, world leaders laughed when Trump claimed his administration had achieved more than almost any in U.S. history.

How has Trump’s relationship with the UN changed in 2025?
In 2025, Trump is no longer mocked. Instead, leaders seek his attention, as he positions himself as a power broker outside traditional diplomacy.

What actions has Trump taken against the UN?
Trump cut U.S. funding, withdrew from agencies like UNESCO and WHO, and sided with rivals on some Security Council resolutions.

What is Trump’s stance on the Gaza conflict?
Trump rejects the UN-backed two-state conference and prefers private talks with Muslim-majority nations and Israel.

 Why is Trump’s UN role important today?
Trump’s actions highlight a shift from multilateralism to unilateralism, reshaping the global order and weakening the UN’s influence.