Escalator stoppage, teleprompter glitch, and sound issues under review
Former President Donald Trump denounced what he described as “triple sabotage” during his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, following a series of technical difficulties that took place during his visit.
Sequence of events
On Tuesday, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump entered UN headquarters when an escalator suddenly stopped while they were riding it. The moment was caught on video and sparked online reactions. Shortly after, at the podium, Trump noted that the teleprompter was not functioning correctly, forcing him to continue speaking without it for several minutes. Later, attendees reported that the sound level in the room was unusually low, making it difficult for some participants without translation earpieces to follow the speech.
Different explanations
Trump and members of his team argued that the incidents were not coincidental and called for a full investigation. In contrast, UN officials explained that the escalator problem was most likely triggered accidentally by a U.S. videographer who activated a safety mechanism. Regarding the teleprompter, the UN clarified that its operation was the responsibility of the U.S. delegation. As for the sound, officials stated that the system is primarily designed to work with interpreter headsets.
Investigations ahead
Trump insisted that the situation put safety at risk and urged accountability. Both the U.S. Secret Service and the UN Secretary-General’s office confirmed that inquiries will be carried out to determine the causes. The U.S. ambassador to the UN described the matter as “unacceptable” and requested preventive measures to avoid similar disruptions in the future.
These developments highlight the ongoing friction between Trump and the United Nations, a relationship already strained by past disputes over funding and institutional roles.
