US President Donald Trump has demanded an immediate investigation into what he termed “triple sabotage” during his United Nations General Assembly visit, claiming three technical malfunctions were deliberate attempts to undermine his appearance.
The Three “Sinister Events”
Trump detailed the incidents in a lengthy Truth Social post, describing them as “not one, not two, but three very sinister events” that occurred during his Tuesday UN address.
Escalator Incident
The first malfunction occurred when Trump and First Lady Melania were ascending to the main speaking floor. The escalator “came to a screeching halt,” forcing the couple to grip handrails tightly to avoid falling onto “sharp edges of steel steps”. Trump called this “absolutely sabotage,” demanding the arrest of those responsible.
Teleprompter Failure
During his speech opening, Trump’s teleprompter went “stone cold dark” for approximately 15 minutes, forcing him to deliver portions of his address without prepared remarks. He quipped to the assembly, “I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter because the teleprompter is not working”.
Audio System Problems
The third issue involved sound system failures in the General Assembly hall. Trump claimed world leaders couldn’t hear his speech unless they used interpreters’ earpieces. First Lady Melania reportedly told him afterward, “I couldn’t hear a word you said”.
UN Response and Technical Explanations
United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric provided technical explanations for the incidents. The escalator malfunction resulted from a “built-in safety mechanism” that was “inadvertently triggered” by a US delegation videographer moving backward while filming.
Regarding the teleprompter, UN officials clarified that the White House delegation was responsible for operating the president’s equipment, not UN staff. The audio system was functioning properly for translated speeches through earpiece interpreters, according to UN representatives.
Secret Service Investigation
Trump announced the US Secret Service would investigate the incidents, demanding preservation of all security footage from the escalator, particularly around the emergency stop button. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz supported the investigation, calling the incidents “unacceptable” and requesting formal explanations from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Political Context and Accusations
Trump referenced a London Times report suggesting UN workers had “joked about turning off an escalator” before his arrival, using this as evidence of deliberate sabotage. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed these concerns, demanding immediate firing and investigation of any UN staff involved.
The incidents occurred during Trump’s critical speech where he accused European allies of “destroying” their countries through immigration policies and criticized the UN’s effectiveness in global affairs.
Technical Issues at International Forums
The malfunctions highlight ongoing infrastructure challenges at UN headquarters. The organization has intermittently shut down elevators and escalators in recent months due to budget constraints and liquidity crises, partly attributed to delayed funding from member nations including the United States.
Trump’s 57-minute speech proceeded despite the technical difficulties, with the teleprompter eventually resuming function. He later claimed the speech received “fantastic reviews” and praised his ability to continue without technological assistance.
The president concluded his demands by stating he was sending formal complaints to the UN Secretary-General, emphasizing that “this wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN”.
