Trump frustrated by escalator and teleprompter failures at UN event

On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the United Nations headquarters in New York City to address world leaders at the General Assembly session. Their entrance was marred by technical issues; specifically, the escalator they used malfunctioned, and the teleprompter he relied on failed during his speech. Trump humorously remarked on the teleprompter's malfunction, saying that its operator was 'in big trouble,' eliciting laughter from the audience. He later used the escalator mishap as a metaphorical critique of the United Nations, suggesting the organization is characterized by incompetence and 'empty words.' The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, commented on the incidents and suggested that if the malfunction was intentional, those responsible needed to face consequences. She indicated that the Secret Service was investigating the matter to determine if anyone at the U.N. purposefully disrupted the event. Reports indicate that a videographer from Trump's delegation might have inadvertently triggered an escalator safety mechanism, causing it to stop, but the U.N. spokespeople insisted that the fault did not lie with their staff but rather with the equipment or the actions of Trump's team. As these events unfolded, they further illustrated the strained relationship between the Trump administration and the United Nations. Trump has been openly critical of the U.N.'s handling of various matters, particularly regarding its ineffectiveness and its approach to significant geopolitical issues, such as Israel and Palestine. In his speeches, Trump has argued that the U.N. needs significant reform to realize its potential in global diplomacy. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities leaders face when technology fails in high-stakes environments and underscores the heightened scrutiny political figures are under during international public appearances. Missteps, whether intentional or accidental, can fuel narratives about incompetence at such forums and affect diplomatic relations. The need for accountability, as suggested by the White House, implies the administration’s intention to ensure all parties involved in these mishaps are held responsible while also framing these occurrences in the context of their broader ambitions to reshape America's relations with international bodies.