During a lengthy and often off-script address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump presented a critical view of the organization’s mission, delivering a broad lecture to member nations. He asserted himself as the sole leader capable of resolving global challenges, frequently boasting about his own record while dismissing the UN as ineffective.
Coinciding with the General Assembly’s 80th anniversary amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, Mr. Trump claimed success in resolving various international disputes where, he stated, the UN ‘did not even try to help’.
He controversially blamed his predecessor, Joseph R. Biden, for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accused China and India of financing the conflict through oil purchases from Russia. Mr. Trump also threatened new tariffs on Russia if a ceasefire is not reached, contingent on Europe ending all Russian oil and gas imports.
Exceeding his allocated time, the president diverged into unverified assertions regarding immigration and green energy, describing mass migration and renewable energy shifts as a ‘double-tailed monster’ detrimental to European nations. Beyond criticizing Mr. Biden, he targeted political adversaries and NATO allies that have recognized a Palestinian state.
On Gaza, Mr. Trump reiterated his demand for ‘all the hostages back’ but did not address Israel’s actions in Gaza City or previous pledges for humanitarian aid. The ongoing blockade of aid to the enclave amidst a severe humanitarian crisis has led to accusations of genocide.
He dedicated a significant portion of his speech, ten minutes, to dismissing climate change as a ‘hoax,’ directly contradicting widespread scientific consensus that global average temperatures have risen significantly since the industrial era.
Key Highlights from the Day’s Proceedings:
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In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres painted a grim picture of a ‘dangerously chaotic’ world where the UN’s founding principles were ‘under siege.’ He emphasized the need for unity and diplomacy, stating, ‘People everywhere are demanding something better, and we owe them something deserving of their trust.’ Mr. Guterres, who has made climate change a legacy priority, saw his concerns dismissed by Mr. Trump just minutes later.
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Other prominent speakers included French President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted a conference on Palestinian statehood, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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The UN Security Council was scheduled to hold sessions on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, with many foreign ministers in attendance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expected to meet with Mr. Trump, was slated to address the Council, which has remained largely inactive in both conflicts due to vetoes from Russia (regarding Ukraine) and the United States (in support of Israel).
Separately, President Trump adopted a noticeably softer tone towards Brazil, indicating plans to meet with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva following a previous diplomatic rift. Trump mentioned a brief ‘excellent chemistry’ encounter, despite past punitive measures, including tariffs and sanctions, imposed by his administration over Brazil’s prosecution of his ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Continuing his critique of clean energy, Trump reiterated his disapproval of Britain’s reduced North Sea oil drilling, attributing the decline to high taxes. He urged Britain to exploit its ‘tremendous oil,’ lamenting the ‘ruining’ of the Scottish and English countryside with windmills and solar panels, linking green energy and immigration to Europe’s decline.
The President also repeated his claim of ending seven ‘unendable wars,’ disparaging the UN’s role in these conflicts. He cited Armenia and Azerbaijan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, India and Pakistan, Israel and Iran, Cambodia and Thailand, and Egypt and Ethiopia, though the extent of his role and the resolution status in these situations remain varied and, in some cases, disputed. His interventions in the Gaza and Ukraine wars, for instance, have so far failed.
Meanwhile, outside the UN building, a dozen anti-Trump protesters were arrested. Holding signs like ‘Trump is the emergency’ and ‘Dear world, we’re sorry,’ demonstrators expressed their disapproval of the President’s policies and statements, including his stance on Palestinian statehood.
During his lengthy, 57-minute speech—his longest at the UN General Assembly—Trump touched upon themes of defending free speech, criticizing political persecution in Brazil, dismissing climate change as a ‘con job,’ and falsely accusing the UN of funding illegal migration. He warned of dire consequences for countries pursuing green energy and moving away from fossil fuels, and threatened nations involved in drug trafficking from Venezuela. Critics noted his focus on these themes rather than conventional U.S. international agenda items like China’s challenge or arms control with Russia.