Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
President Donald Trump delivered a largely unscripted address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, using the international platform to sharply criticize global migration policies, dismiss climate change as a “con job,” and question the efficacy of the UN itself. The speech, which reportedly began after a teleprompter malfunction, saw Trump veer significantly off-script to outline his “America First” approach to world issues and touch upon ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
A Candid Address at the UNGA
The speech’s extemporaneous nature was attributed to a reported teleprompter malfunction, which Trump acknowledged at the outset. He stated that speaking “from the heart” would allow for a more genuine delivery, setting a tone for a speech that frequently departed from prepared remarks.
Throughout his address, Trump castigated foreign allies for what he perceived as detrimental migration policies and for fueling foreign conflicts. He also voiced skepticism about the United Nations’ capacity to resolve major global issues.
The audience of global delegates largely remained silent during the speech, a notable contrast to the audible laughter that greeted Trump during his first term when he spoke from the same podium.
Stance on Global Migration
A significant portion of Trump’s speech focused on immigration, where he accused the UN of “funding an assault on Western countries” through what he deemed insufficient migration controls. He warned that the “fabric of the West was being destroyed” by unchecked migration.
Trump asserted that his administration’s approach of “detaining and deporting everyone who crossed the border” had effectively curbed illegal immigration into the United States. He urged other leaders, particularly in Europe, to adopt similar stringent measures.
He suggested that European nations were “destroying their heritage” by pursuing politically correct and “nice” immigration policies, implying that his methods were the only way to preserve national identity.
Climate Change Dismissed
Trump also used his address to strongly reject the scientific consensus on climate change, labeling it “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” He scoffed at past predictions of global disaster and called for other nations to abandon green energy initiatives.
He claimed that predictions made by the United Nations and others were “wrong” and had been made by “stupid people.” The vast majority of climate scientists agree that climate change is happening and is primarily caused by fossil fuel pollution.
Furthermore, Trump argued that green energy policies primarily serve to redistribute manufacturing and industrial activity from developed nations to polluting countries that do not adhere to environmental regulations, allowing them to prosper at the expense of others.
Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza
On the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Trump offered little new information, despite having previously stated that these wars would be easy to resolve. He lamented growing momentum for a two-state solution at the UN, describing it as a “reward” for Hamas.
He acknowledged that ending the war in Ukraine had proven more difficult than anticipated, suggesting that his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin had not translated into effective peace negotiations. Instead, he criticized European nations for continuing purchases of Russian energy products.
While European nations have significantly reduced their oil purchases from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, some continue to buy natural gas. Trump identified China and India as “primary funders” of the war due to their continued purchase of Russian oil, but also accused European nations of contributing.
Following his speech, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump suggested that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace, a notable comment as the alliance considers potential war expansion.
Questioning the United Nations’ Purpose
Trump connected the malfunctioning teleprompter and a broken escalator he encountered at the UN building to his broader critique of the institution’s effectiveness. He openly questioned the “purpose of the United Nations.”
He asserted that the UN primarily engages in “empty words” through strongly worded letters that are rarely followed up, suggesting that such actions do not solve wars. This sentiment reflects long-standing criticisms of the UN’s bureaucracy and a gridlocked Security Council.
Trump has previously taken steps to diminish the UN’s stature, including slashing U.S. funding for the institution, humanitarian aid, and peacekeeping operations, as well as withdrawing from several of its specialized agencies.
He also expressed frustration that the UN had not acknowledged his efforts in resolving global conflicts, claiming he had “ended seven wars” without receiving any assistance or recognition from the organization.
Off-Script Moments and Tangents
Without the guidance of a teleprompter, Trump’s speech was marked by numerous digressions, touching on topics such as crime reduction in U.S. cities, Barack Obama’s carbon footprint, his own unfulfilled efforts to renovate UN headquarters, and the efficacy of windmills.
Among his more unusual comments, he stated, “We don’t want cows anymore. I guess they want to kill all the cows,” without further explanation. He also remarked, “In Asia, they dump much of their garbage right into the ocean.”
Despite the extensive detours, a clear through-line was his criticism of how much of the world, and the UN itself, is handling global matters, consistently presenting his own approach as superior. Trump exceeded the typical 15-minute time limit for leaders’ speeches.
