Live Updates: President Trump Addresses U.N. General Assembly
President Trump took to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly’s 80th anniversary session on Tuesday. His address comes at a profoundly turbulent time, with devastating conflicts continuing to rage in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. The core objectives of peace and stability, for which the U.N. was founded, seem as distant as ever.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, intensified by Israel’s blockade and accusations of genocide, is expected to be a central topic in the coming days. Kicking off the proceedings, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a sobering opening speech, highlighting the dangerously chaotic state of the world while offering a glimmer of hope that unity and diplomacy can still prevail.
“People everywhere are demanding something better, and we owe them something deserving of their trust,” Mr. Guterres emphasized. He also touched upon his major legacy priority, climate change, and outlined his ambitious restructuring plan known as UN80, designed to modernize the organization.
Diplomats anticipate a wide range of issues will be discussed by world leaders, including the U.N.’s pressing budget crisis, efforts to streamline operations and cut spending, the question of Palestinian statehood, potential renewed U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities, and the urgent need for global regulations on artificial intelligence.
Key Highlights from Today:
- French President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted a two-state solution conference on Monday focused on Palestinian statehood, is among today’s notable speakers. Also scheduled to speak are Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the prime minister of Qatar (where Israel recently targeted Hamas), King Abdullah II of Jordan, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
- This afternoon, the U.N. Security Council will hold back-to-back sessions on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, with numerous foreign ministers in attendance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, slated to meet with Mr. Trump today, will address the Council. The Council has notably failed to act decisively on either conflict, stymied by Russia’s veto in the Ukraine situation and the United States’ support of Israel in the Gaza conflict.
Trump’s Views on the United Nations
“What is the purpose of the United Nations?” President Trump questioned during his address. He went on to claim that the organization’s primary activities consist of little more than writing “strongly worded letters” and engaging in “empty words.”
He further criticized the U.N., asserting that he had personally resolved global conflicts where the international body had been ineffective. “It’s sad I had to do these things instead of the United Nations doing them,” Trump remarked.
An interesting side note from the session: a U.N. official confirmed that the White House is responsible for operating the teleprompter for the American president, and that several other delegations also bring their own operators. This clarification came after Trump’s teleprompter reportedly malfunctioned as he began his speech.
Trump didn’t shy away from domestic criticism either, repeatedly targeting his predecessor, former President Biden, in his opening remarks. This aligns with his common practice of reserving his harshest criticism for those he considers domestic political opponents.
Familiar themes from Trump’s previous speeches were evident. He declared, “We have successfully repelled a colossal invasion.” He specifically praised El Salvador for “the successful and professional job they’ve done in receiving and jailing so many criminals that entered our country.”
As he touted American economic growth, Trump highlighted the booming U.S. stock market. Historically, presidents who closely tie themselves to a rising market often face challenges when the market declines.
Facing a teleprompter failure, Trump was observed largely reading from a paper script, understandably looking down rather than engaging directly with his audience. He proclaimed, “We’re the hottest country anywhere in the world,” focusing initially on the United States rather than acknowledging the U.N.’s 80th anniversary directly.
Early in his speech, President Trump publicly announced that his teleprompter was not working, adding with a chuckle that whoever was responsible was “in big trouble.” The audience responded with laughter as he made his way to the podium.
U.N. Secretary-General Guterres Warns of Global Suffering
Prior to Trump’s address, Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, initiated his speech by painting a bleak picture of global diplomacy, strongly condemning attacks on sovereignty and the arbitrary use of sanctions. “Our sovereignty and our democracy are non-negotiable,” Lula asserted.
Lula also highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate hazards on developing nations, while richer countries have enjoyed a higher standard of living by burning fossil fuels for 150 years. “It’s not a matter of charity, but of justice,” he stated, framing climate action as a moral imperative.
He made a veiled reference to President Trump’s efforts to influence Brazil’s coup case against former President Jair Bolsonaro, emphasizing that foreign interference in his country’s judiciary is unacceptable. Lula declared that impunity for those who attempt to undermine Brazil’s democracy is not an option, signaling a firm stance against external pressure.
Furthermore, Brazil has faced intense pressure from the Trump administration to drop the case against Bolsonaro, including punishing tariffs and a broad trade investigation. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on a Brazilian Supreme Court justice and his spouse, underscoring the severity of these diplomatic tensions.
Traditionally, Brazil’s president is the first world leader to address the General Assembly after the U.N. Secretary-General and the Assembly’s president. This tradition dates back to the mid-1950s when no other nation’s leader was willing to take the slot, which is now considered a prestigious opportunity to set the tone for the week. As the host nation for the U.N. headquarters in New York, the American president, Donald J. Trump, is always the second leader to speak.
Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark warning on Tuesday about the chaotic global landscape as he opened the General Assembly. Despite the grim outlook, he expressed optimism that international cooperation could still foster positive change.
“We have entered an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering,” Mr. Guterres told the Assembly. “The principles of the United Nations that you have established are under siege.” He highlighted critical issues such as the invasion of sovereign nations, the weaponization of hunger, the suppression of truth, and the encroaching rise of sea levels.
Guterres directly addressed the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, which cast a heavy shadow over the U.N.’s 80th anniversary. He asserted that diplomatic solutions are the only path to ending all three wars, but reserved his most poignant remarks for the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. There, Palestinians endure catastrophic suffering, and the U.N. has recorded its highest number of staff casualties in any conflict in its history.
“In Gaza, the horrors are approaching a third monstrous year,” Mr. Guterres stated, calling for an immediate ceasefire across all three conflict zones. “They are the result of decisions that defy basic humanity. The scale of death and destruction are beyond any other conflict in my years as secretary-general.”
His speech underscored the U.N.’s vital role as a premier global forum, urging leaders to recognize the importance of preserving and strengthening its core principles: multilateralism, human rights, development, and aid. “Together, let us choose to invest in a United Nations that adapts, innovates and is empowered to deliver for people everywhere,” he implored.
With roughly 15 months remaining in his term, Mr. Guterres navigates a period fraught with challenges. The U.N. faces questions about its effectiveness in preventing and mediating conflicts, largely due to divisions within the Security Council, which have tarnished the organization’s reputation. Furthermore, Guterres is tackling a severe budget crisis, with a revised 2026 budget slashing approximately $500 million, and is leading an ambitious UN80 reform project aimed at streamlining operations and implementing deep cuts to staffing and programs worldwide.
Maya Ungar, a U.N. analyst at the International Crisis Group, observed, “Typically, this would be a time for a secretary-general to focus on cementing their legacy. Instead, Guterres is stuck with the task of trying to ensure that there is a United Nations to hand over to his successor.”
The re-emergence of President Trump adds another layer of complexity. Guterres, known for his political background and mild demeanor, navigated tensions cautiously during the first Trump administration, hoping for more amicable successors. However, with Trump’s return, U.S. policies and funding cuts to the U.N. are even more aggressive than before.
Guterres is scheduled to meet with Trump later today for their first direct interaction since Trump took office in January. The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the U.N.’s working relationship with the Trump administration. Guterres expressed hope in a prior news briefing that they could forge a “peacemaking partnership.”
He concluded his address with a defiant message: “That is my promise to you. For peace. For dignity. For justice. For humanity. I will never give up.”
Guterres concluded his speech by acknowledging the structural reform plan, UN80, and the budget adjustments aimed at addressing the U.N.’s financial challenges. This acknowledgment was intended to convey confidence that the U.N. is proactively tackling its issues. “No matter the challenge, no matter the obstacle, no matter the hour,” he declared, “we must — and we will — overcome.”
He also made a pointed reference to fossil fuels, stating, “Fossil fuels are a losing bet.” This message, implicitly directed at the United States, comes as Washington encourages countries to increase their purchase of U.S. oil and gas. While other nations like China and the European Union are set to announce their climate emissions pledges, the United States is conspicuously absent from that schedule.
Artificial intelligence is another key theme at this year’s General Assembly. Guterres warned the assembly that “artificial intelligence is rewriting human existence in real time,” but noted that “A.I.’s advancement is outpacing regulation and responsibility – concentrated in a few hands.” The U.N. Security Council will hold a meeting on the threats posed by A.I. to peace and stability, and Guterres plans to host a conference on global governance for artificial intelligence.
Climate change remains a top priority for Guterres. He called for “stepped-up action and ambition, especially through strengthened national climate plans,” urging all countries to accelerate their efforts ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Paris. He specifically emphasized that “G20, the biggest emitters, must lead, guided by common but differentiated responsibilities.” Guterres himself is hosting a climate conference on Thursday, running concurrently with the General Assembly sessions.
Guterres explicitly called for the full and immediate implementation of measures stipulated by the International Court of Justice concerning the conflict in Gaza. “The International Court of Justice has issued legally binding provisional measures in the case named Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip,” he reminded the assembly. “The measures stipulated by the I.C.J. must be implemented — fully and immediately.”
Addressing a hall filled with world leaders during a period of immense global instability, Guterres began by recalling the U.N.’s founding principles of cooperation and peace 80 years ago, lamenting that these ideals are now under threat. “We have entered an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering,” he declared. “Look around. The principles of the United Nations that you have established are under siege. Listen, the pillars of peace and progress are buckling under the weight of impunity, inequality and indifference.”
The General Assembly officially convened with Secretary-General António Guterres formally acknowledging the Assembly’s president, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. “Let me begin with two words we have not been able to say often enough in this Hall: Madam President.” His remarks were met with applause from the delegates.