The recent UN General Assembly meeting was marred by technical difficulties that have sparked controversy between Donald Trump and the United Nations. The former president experienced both an escalator malfunction and a teleprompter failure, leading to accusations of foul play. Trump alleges a conspiracy against him and has requested a full investigation into the incidents. White House officials have echoed his concerns, seeking accountability for those they believe are responsible.
The UN’s response centers on the issue of responsibility. According to UN spokesperson Farhan Aziz Haq, the White House was in charge of the teleprompter setup. He noted that the White House was tasked with making all arrangements for the teleprompter, including its location, operation, and the speech’s format. Haq questioned why the teleprompter failed during Trump’s address, given the White House’s control over the equipment. The UN also addressed the escalator issue, stating that it was operational prior to Trump’s use. The UN plans to release video footage related to the incident.
During his address, Trump voiced criticism of the UN’s performance, linking the teleprompter failure to potential job losses resulting from US funding cuts to the organization. The cuts threaten over 3,000 UN staff positions. Trump also joked about the escalator incident, recounting his concern for Melania’s well-being during the event.