US President Donald Trump has demanded an investigation into what he described as “triple sabotage” during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, citing an escalator malfunction, a teleprompter failure, and audio disruptions in the auditorium.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump alleged that the incidents were deliberate attempts to undermine him at the global gathering. “A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday – Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!” he wrote. “This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”
The president said he would send a formal letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanding a probe into the incidents. He further called for the arrest of those responsible for the escalator stoppage, citing a Times article that reported UN staff joked about turning off escalators. “This was absolutely sabotage… All security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button. The Secret Service is involved,” Trump added.
The incidents unfolded as Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were stepping onto an escalator that suddenly halted. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Trump’s videographer “may have inadvertently triggered the safety function” while filming the couple. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt raised suspicions about the stoppage, posting on X: “If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately.”
After the escalator mishap, Trump experienced further setbacks when his teleprompter failed during his speech. “I can only say that whoever’s operating this teleprompter is in big trouble,” he remarked, before the system was later restored. A UN official told the BBC that the White House was running its own teleprompter equipment, plugging laptops into the UN’s system.
Trump also cited audio problems, alleging that “the sound was completely off in the Auditorium.” He added, “World Leaders, unless they used the interpreters’ earpieces, couldn’t hear a thing.” In response, a UN official explained: “The sound system was designed to allow people at their seats to hear speeches being translated into six different languages through earpieces.”
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz backed Trump’s call for an inquiry, describing the incidents as “unacceptable.” He said: “The United States will not tolerate threats to our security or dignity at international forums. We expect swift cooperation and decisive action.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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