Trump at the UN General Assembly 2025: Escalators, Teleprompters, and a Global Power Play
At the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, President Donald Trump delivered a fiery speech that mixed criticism, self-praise, and unexpected moments. From broken escalators to diplomatic breakthroughs, his appearance at the UN sparked both controversy and intrigue.
This article unpacks Trump’s UN address, his impromptu meeting with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and his bold claims about ending wars and reshaping global diplomacy.
Trump’s Speech at the UN: From Technical Glitches to Global Criticism
Trump’s entrance to the UN was anything but smooth. The escalator carrying him and First Lady Melania Trump abruptly stopped midway, leaving him visibly annoyed. Moments later, his teleprompter malfunctioned as he began his speech.
“These are the two things I got from the United Nations,” Trump quipped. “A bad escalator and a bad teleprompter.”
But the mishaps didn’t stop him from launching into sharp criticism of the UN, accusing it of failing to live up to its global responsibilities.
“The UN has such tremendous potential, but all they seem to do is write strongly worded letters and never follow through,” Trump said. “Empty words don’t solve wars.”
Trump’s Record on Wars and Immigration
Pivoting from his criticism, Trump highlighted what he sees as his greatest achievements: ending seven wars and halting illegal immigration.
“I dealt directly with the leaders of these countries and never once got a call from the UN offering to help finalize peace deals,” he remarked.
Trump also slammed what he called the “globalist immigration agenda,” positioning himself as a defender of U.S. sovereignty.
The 39-Second Meeting with Brazil’s President Lula
One of the most unexpected moments of Trump’s UN appearance was his brief encounter with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“I was walking in, and he was walking out. We looked at each other and agreed to meet next week,” Trump explained.
Despite strained U.S.-Brazil relations—including a 50% tariff dispute and Trump’s defense of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro—the brief exchange sparked optimism.
“We had excellent chemistry,” Trump said. “It’s a good sign.”
The planned follow-up meeting could signal a potential thaw in relations between the two nations.
UN Secretary General Meeting: From Harsh Words to Conciliation
After his blistering speech, Trump struck a softer tone during his meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres.
“The U.S. is behind the United Nations 100%,” Trump assured.
Guterres, in turn, praised Trump for brokering ceasefires and encouraged deeper cooperation to achieve what he called a “just peace.”
This shift highlighted Trump’s dual strategy of criticizing the UN publicly while keeping diplomatic channels open privately.
Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize Debate
Never one to shy away from self-promotion, Trump argued that his diplomatic efforts deserved recognition.
“Everyone says I should get the Nobel Peace Prize,” Trump said, pointing to the Abraham Accords and other peace deals.
But he insisted the true reward was saving lives:
“The real prize will be the sons and daughters who live to grow up with their mothers and fathers because endless and unglorious wars have ended.”
Trump has already been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by leaders from Pakistan, Israel, Cambodia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
An Old Grievance: The UN Renovation Contract
In classic Trump fashion, he revisited a decades-old business grievance about not winning the contract to renovate the UN headquarters.
Trump argued his plan offered marble floors and mahogany walls, while the chosen contractors settled for terrazzo and cheaper materials.
“Look at the building today,” he said. “They still haven’t finished the job, and you’re walking on terrazzo instead of marble.”
Trump’s Invitation: Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Before wrapping up his address, Trump extended an invitation to world leaders: dinner in Washington, D.C.
Declaring the U.S. capital “totally safe again” after deploying the National Guard, Trump promised a firsthand look at America’s restored security.
“In fact, we’ll have dinner together at a local restaurant,” he told delegates.
Key Takeaways from Trump’s 2025 UN Visit
- Technical Issues Became Talking Points – The escalator and teleprompter glitches set the tone for Trump’s blunt remarks.
- Sharp Criticism of the UN – He accused the organization of failing to act beyond symbolic gestures.
- Focus on Achievements – Trump touted his role in ending wars and pushing peace accords.
- Brazil Relations – His quick encounter with President Lula opened the door for future diplomacy.
- The Peace Prize Narrative – Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker deserving global recognition.
- Old Grudges Resurface – Even at the UN, Trump revisited his frustrations over lost business deals.
Conclusion: Trump’s UN Performance Blended Theater with Diplomacy
Trump’s appearance at the UN General Assembly was part political theater, part diplomatic maneuvering. His speech mixed humor, sharp attacks, and bold self-promotion, yet he also showed flashes of pragmatism in private meetings.
From a broken escalator to a potential thaw with Brazil, Trump’s UN visit left the world with headlines that blended spectacle with substance.
His message was clear: while he questions the UN’s effectiveness, he still wants the U.S. to play a central role in shaping global peace and security.
Read our previous post about Detroit Lions Stock Report
FAQs about Trump’s 2025 UN General Assembly Speech
What did Donald Trump say at the 2025 UN General Assembly?
Trump criticized the United Nations for failing to act on global conflicts, calling its statements “empty words.” He also highlighted his own record of ending wars, curbing illegal immigration, and promoting peace agreements.
What happened during Trump’s meeting with Brazil’s President Lula?
Trump briefly met Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for just 39 seconds but claimed they had “excellent chemistry.” They agreed to hold a formal meeting the following week, signaling a possible reset in strained U.S.-Brazil relations.
Why did Trump mention the Nobel Peace Prize in his speech?
Trump argued that his efforts to end wars and broker the Abraham Accords should earn him a Nobel Peace Prize. However, he emphasized that the real reward is saving lives and ending “unglorious wars.”
What technical issues did Trump face during his UN appearance?
His visit was marked by two glitches: a stalled escalator that nearly caused a mishap for the First Lady and a malfunctioning teleprompter at the start of his speech. Trump used these incidents to mock the UN’s inefficiency.
Why did Trump bring up the UN headquarters renovation project?
Trump revisited a decades-old frustration about losing the contract to renovate the UN building. He claimed his proposal offered higher-quality materials, such as marble floors, while the winning bid delivered terrazzo, which he called “inferior.”
How did Trump conclude his UN address?
He invited world leaders to Washington, D.C., saying the city is now “totally safe” after National Guard deployments. He even suggested dining together at a local restaurant to experience the city firsthand.
