Trump demands investigation into “triple sabotage” at UN General Assembly

Donald Trump called for an investigation into what he described as a "triple sabotage" during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24.

In a social media post, quoted by foreing media, the US president cited three separate incidents: an escalator abruptly stopping as he and First Lady Melania Trump stepped on, a teleprompter malfunctioning during his speech, and an audio issue in the auditorium.

A UN official explained that the sound system is designed to let attendees hear translated speeches through earpieces. Previously, the UN suggested that a safety mechanism may have been triggered by Trump’s videographer, who was moving backwards on the escalator, while noting that the teleprompter was provided by the US delegation.

Trump criticised the incidents on Truth Social and said he was sending a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanding an immediate investigation.

"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."

He also called for the arrest of those responsible for the escalator incident, referencing a Times article reporting that UN workers had joked about turning off the 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.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz supported Trump’s call for an official probe, calling the incidents "unacceptable."

"The United States will not tolerate threats to our security or dignity at international forums. We expect swift cooperation and decisive action," he wrote on X.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also expressed concern that the escalator might have been deliberately stopped.

"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," she wrote on X.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres, said Trump’s videographer "may have inadvertently triggered the safety function" while filming the couple.

Following the escalator mishap, Trump faced further technical difficulties when the teleprompter malfunctioned, although it was restored toward the end of his address.

"I can only say that whoever's operating this teleprompter is in big trouble," he said. A UN official later clarified that the White House was operating the teleprompter, using their own laptops plugged into the UN system.

Trump also highlighted audio issues in his post: "the sound was completely off in the Auditorium."

"World Leaders, unless they used the interpreters' earpieces, couldn't hear a thing," he added.

Responding to Trump’s comments, a UN official stated, "The sound system was designed to allow people at their seats to hear speeches being translated into six different languages through earpieces."

By Tamilla Hasanova