In a striking return to the global stage, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his first address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in five years, intertwining campaign rhetoric with critiques of international policies. His speech, which oscillated between humor and serious grievances, set the tone for a contentious day at the U.N.
Trump’s remarks were punctuated by a light-hearted complaint about technical difficulties. He opened by joking about a malfunctioning teleprompter and a broken escalator that, he claimed, halted his ascent to the podium. “These are the two things I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter,” he quipped, drawing scattered laughter from the audience. However, the levity quickly gave way to more serious critiques.
The president reiterated his long-standing assertion that he “ended seven unendable wars” globally, lamenting the U.N.’s lack of action in these conflicts. “It’s too bad that I had to do these things instead of the United Nations doing them,” he stated, criticizing the organization’s perceived ineffectiveness.
Trump’s speech followed familiar themes for those accustomed to his rhetoric, as he highlighted his administration’s accomplishments while blaming his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for a series of “repeated disasters.” Yet, it was his commentary on immigration and climate that garnered significant attention.
On immigration, Trump specifically praised El Salvador for its efforts in detaining criminals who had entered the U.S. He accused the U.N. of supporting migrants and called for member states to emulate the U.S. approach. “I’m really good at this stuff,” he declared, suggesting that other countries were failing to protect their borders. “Your countries are going to hell,” he added, painting a dire picture of immigration challenges worldwide.
Shifting gears, Trump turned his focus to energy and climate change, echoing his previous skepticism about renewable energy. He blamed Europe’s reliance on wind and solar power for pushing them “to the brink of destruction,” urging a return to fossil fuels. Citing past U.N. predictions about climate change that he deemed inaccurate, he declared, “All of these predictions made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong. They were made by stupid people.” He controversially claimed that climate activists wanted to eliminate cattle farming, stating, “No more cows. We don’t want cows anymore.”
Despite the contentious nature of his speech, Trump did touch on pressing global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged for the release of hostages held by Hamas, a moment that received some applause from attendees. However, he also criticized the growing recognition of a Palestinian state, framing it as a reward for Hamas’s actions.
Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, suggesting that the conflict was tarnishing Russia’s image and calling for a halt to European energy purchases from Russia.
While his criticisms of the U.N. may have raised eyebrows, Trump stopped short of endorsing a U.S. exit from the organization. Instead, he assured U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres of American support for the United Nations, stating, “our country is behind the United Nations 100 percent.” This nuanced stance may provide diplomatic cover for other nations seeking to interpret his remarks in a more favorable light.
In a significant turn of events, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the assembly, where he voiced newfound optimism about Ukraine’s ability to reclaim its territory from Russian occupation. This marked a notable shift in Trump’s previously pessimistic outlook on the conflict, as he expressed confidence in Ukraine’s military capabilities, bolstered by European Union support.
Zelensky described their discussion as “constructive,” suggesting that Trump’s evolving perspective may stem from a growing skepticism towards Putin. This development could signal a potential recalibration of U.S. support for Ukraine, which has been a contentious issue in international relations.
Amidst the high-stakes conversations at UNGA, Jarmo Sareva, Finland’s consul general in New York, weighed in on Trump’s “America First” approach, advising caution in interpreting his statements. “When people back home ask me… I offer the word of caution, which is, ‘Don’t take everything literally,'” Sareva noted, emphasizing the importance of actions over rhetoric.
As global leaders grappled with pressing issues, Trump’s address was followed by remarks from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom Trump criticized for “censorship” and “judicial corruption.” Despite their differences, Trump mentioned a plan to meet with the Brazilian leader, suggesting a personal rapport remained intact.
As the UNGA continued, with addresses scheduled from leaders like Zelensky and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the world watched closely to see how the dynamics of international relations would evolve in the wake of Trump’s provocative remarks.
