The event, which began with Trump arriving alongside First Lady Melania Trump, set the tone early. Just minutes into his appearance, the president paused to gripe about a malfunctioning escalator at UN headquarters, quipping that it symbolized the organization's broader inefficiencies. "Even the escalators don't work here—how are you supposed to solve world problems when you can't even get upstairs?" he remarked, eliciting chuckles from his entourage but stony faces from the assembled delegates. The teleprompter glitch later in the speech forced an unscripted detour, during which Trump ad-libbed praise for his own poll numbers, declaring, "I was very proud to see this morning I have the highest poll numbers I've ever had." Such moments, critics say, transformed what should have been a platform for diplomacy into a rally-style performance aimed more at Trump's domestic base than the 193 member states in attendance.
On September 23, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering a speech that underscored his administration’s skepticism toward multilateral institutions and global cooperation. As world leaders gathered for the annual high-level meeting, Trump’s address highlighted his "America First" doctrine, signaling a continuation of his foreign policy approach that prioritizes national sovereignty over international alliances. The speech came at a time of heightened global tensions, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as growing concerns over climate change, global health, and economic instability. Against this backdrop, Trump’s remarks offered a stark contrast to the calls for unity and collaboration that typically dominate the UN’s agenda.
A Return to the Global Stage
Trump’s appearance at the UN General Assembly marked a significant moment in his second term as president, which began in January 2025 following his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. His return to the White House has been characterized by a revival of the policies that defined his first term from 2017 to 2021, including a deep distrust of international organizations like the United Nations, NATO, and the World Health Organization. In his speech, Trump reiterated his belief that such institutions often undermine U.S. interests, arguing that they impose burdens on American taxpayers while offering little in return.
The UN General Assembly, held annually in September, brings together heads of state and government to discuss pressing global issues, from poverty and climate change to conflict resolution and human rights. For decades, the event has served as a platform for world leaders to advocate for collective action and diplomacy. However, Trump’s address struck a different chord, emphasizing unilateralism and national self-interest. “The United States will always act in the best interests of its people,” Trump declared, according to sources familiar with the speech. “We will not be dictated to by unelected bureaucrats or foreign powers who do not share our values or our priorities.”
This rhetoric is consistent with Trump’s long-standing critique of global governance. During his first term, he withdrew the U.S. from several international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord, the Iran nuclear deal, and the World Health Organization. His administration also reduced funding to the UN and its agencies, arguing that they were inefficient and biased against U.S. interests. In 2025, Trump has continued this approach, with his administration announcing plans to reassess U.S. contributions to the UN and other multilateral organizations.
The Context of Trump’s Speech
Trump’s address came at a critical juncture for the international community. The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, continues to destabilize Eastern Europe, with Russia maintaining its territorial gains despite Western sanctions and military support for Kyiv. In the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has flared up again, with violence escalating in Gaza and the West Bank. Meanwhile, climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, have intensified calls for global action to address environmental challenges. These issues have underscored the need for cooperation among nations, a message that was echoed by other leaders at the General Assembly.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his opening remarks, urged world leaders to work together to address “existential threats” such as climate change, nuclear proliferation, and global inequality. “No country can solve these problems alone,” Guterres said. “Our shared challenges require shared solutions.” His words were a direct appeal for multilateralism, a concept that Trump has consistently rejected. In contrast to Guterres’ call for unity, Trump used his platform to criticize the UN’s effectiveness and to question the value of U.S. participation in global initiatives.
Trump’s speech also addressed specific geopolitical issues, including trade, security, and immigration. He reiterated his commitment to imposing tariffs on imports, particularly from China, to protect American industries. He also emphasized border security, linking it to national sovereignty and accusing other nations of exploiting U.S. immigration policies. “We will not allow our country to be overrun by those who do not respect our laws,” he said, drawing applause from his supporters but criticism from advocates of global migration frameworks.
A Scathing Takedown of the United Nations
From the outset, Trump set a confrontational tone, lambasting the UN as a bloated, ineffective institution that wastes American resources while failing to deliver meaningful results. He described it as a “total failure” run by unelected bureaucrats who push agendas contrary to national interests. Pausing early in his speech to complain about a faulty escalator at UN headquarters, he quipped that it symbolized the organization’s inability to function, drawing chuckles from his entourage but blank stares from many delegates. A teleprompter glitch later forced Trump to improvise, leading to a tangent about his soaring poll numbers, which he claimed were the highest of his career—a remark that seemed aimed more at his domestic supporters than the global audience before him.
Trump accused the UN of hypocrisy, pointing to its inability to resolve major conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Middle East, curb nuclear proliferation, or address terrorism effectively. He criticized the organization’s structure, arguing that giving equal voting power to small nations and global powers alike undermines serious decision-making. The U.S., he noted, funds a significant portion of the UN’s budget, yet receives little in return but “empty resolutions” and criticism. In a personal jab, he expressed regret that his own company wasn’t awarded the contract for recent UN building renovations, calling it a missed opportunity for American business.
Dismissing Climate Change as a Costly Hoax
One of the speech’s most contentious moments came when Trump turned to climate change, dismissing global efforts like the Paris Agreement as a “green scam” orchestrated by naive leaders and profiteers. He urged nations to abandon wind and solar energy, warning that such policies would lead to economic ruin. Instead, he promoted American fossil fuels and nuclear power as reliable and affordable, positioning the U.S. as the solution to global energy needs. He claimed that his withdrawal from the Paris Accord during his first term had saved American jobs and kept prices low, while accusing other nations of falling for costly environmental schemes that enrich elites but harm ordinary citizens.
These remarks flew in the face of scientific evidence linking rising global temperatures to worsening hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. Environmental advocates were quick to condemn Trump’s stance, arguing that his rejection of climate cooperation threatens global efforts to mitigate catastrophic warming. Nonetheless, Trump insisted that nations relying on what he called “unreliable” green energy would face economic collapse, citing rising energy costs in Europe as proof of misguided policies.
A Dire Warning on Immigration
Immigration emerged as a central theme, with Trump delivering a fiery call for nations to “close their borders” and “expel foreigners” to protect their sovereignty and security. He painted a dystopian picture of Europe overwhelmed by crime and cultural erosion due to unchecked migration, claiming that non-citizens dominate prison populations in several countries. In a particularly inflammatory aside, he singled out London’s mayor, accusing him of allowing the city to slide into chaos, a charge that drew swift condemnation from British officials who called the remarks bigoted and baseless.
Trump tied immigration to national survival, warning that countries failing to secure their borders risked economic collapse and social unrest. He boasted of his administration’s aggressive deportation efforts, claiming to have removed millions of “criminals” since taking office in January 2025. While these figures have been disputed, with data suggesting a more modest increase in deportations, Trump’s rhetoric resonated with his base, who view border security as a cornerstone of his agenda. He criticized global migration frameworks as tools for undermining sovereignty, urging other leaders to follow his lead in prioritizing national interests.
Boasting of Peace and Power
Trump sought to cast himself as a global peacemaker, claiming to have ended multiple conflicts since returning to office. He listed ceasefires in disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Thailand and Cambodia, Egypt and Ethiopia, Serbia and Kosovo, and others, while asserting that he had taken decisive action against threats like Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Venezuelan drug networks. “America is respected again,” he declared, contrasting his leadership with what he called the failures of his predecessors. He even suggested he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize, a remark that drew skeptical glances from the audience.
Many of these claims unraveled under scrutiny. Several of the conflicts Trump cited remain unresolved, and his assertion of brokering peace in regions like the Congo or between India and Pakistan was met with denials from those governments. On Ukraine, he criticized nations for continuing to buy Russian oil, accusing them of funding the war, while calling for a quick resolution to the Gaza conflict without offering specifics. His opposition to recent moves by some countries to recognize Palestinian statehood sparked further controversy, with critics arguing that his stance rewards violence and ignores the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Domestic Brags Amid Global Tensions
Throughout the speech, Trump wove in boasts about his domestic achievements, claiming to have tamed inflation, lowered grocery prices, and attracted trillions in foreign investment through his trade policies. He touted tariffs on China and other nations as a boon for American workers, though economists warn that these measures could raise consumer costs and spark trade wars. He also took credit for strengthening NATO, claiming that his pressure had forced allies to meet defense spending targets, making the alliance stronger than ever.
These assertions clashed with economic data showing inflation ticking upward and trade tensions straining alliances. European leaders, in particular, expressed unease about Trump’s tariff threats, which could disrupt global markets and weaken transatlantic cooperation. His dismissive attitude toward NATO’s collective defense principles further alarmed allies, who fear that a U.S. retreat from multilateral commitments could embolden adversaries like Russia and China.
Global and Domestic Fallout
The speech triggered a wave of reactions, both at the UN and beyond. European leaders, including the French and German heads of state, emphasized the need for multilateralism in their own addresses, warning that a fragmented world risks greater instability. Protests outside UN headquarters saw activists denounce Trump’s rhetoric as divisive, with some holding signs calling him a threat to global peace. Ukrainian representatives, speaking on the sidelines, pressed for more support in repatriating abducted children, highlighting the gap between Trump’s claims of diplomatic success and ongoing crises.
In the U.S., Republicans hailed the speech as a bold defense of American interests, while Democrats called it an embarrassing display of isolationism that weakens U.S. leadership. Social media platforms buzzed with polarized reactions, with hashtags like #TrumpUNFail trending alongside defenses from his supporters. Posts described the address as everything from a “disgrace” to a “masterclass in putting America first.”
Historical Context and a Shifting World Order
Trump’s 2025 UN address echoed themes from his first term, when he threatened North Korea with destruction in 2017 and defended his Iran deal exit in 2018. Yet this speech felt more defiant, reflecting the confidence of a president unconstrained by reelection concerns. His “America First” mantra, born during his 2016 campaign, has evolved into a rejection of global institutions, from the Paris Accord to the World Health Organization, which he defunded in his first term.
Critics argue that this approach cedes influence to rivals like China, which has expanded its role in UN agencies, while supporters see it as a necessary correction to decades of overreach by international bodies. The U.S. remains the UN’s largest financial contributor, but Trump’s hints at further funding cuts could strain the organization’s ability to operate in conflict zones and deliver humanitarian aid.
A Defining Moment for Global Relations
Trump’s hour-long address was less a diplomatic overture than a manifesto for a world where nations act alone, unburdened by global agreements. His call to “build a bright, beautiful planet” through national strength rather than collective action stood in stark contrast to the UN’s ethos of cooperation. As the General Assembly continues, with speeches from other leaders expected to address pressing issues like climate change and conflict, Trump’s words have deepened divides that may prove difficult to mend.
The speech leaves the international community at a crossroads. Will Trump’s vision of a U.S.-led, nationalist world order inspire others to follow suit, or will it galvanize calls for renewed multilateralism? For now, his warnings of “doom” for nations that ignore his advice linger, a provocative challenge to a world grappling with shared crises and an uncertain future.
A History of Tension with the UN
Trump’s approach to the UN is not new. During his first term, he frequently clashed with the organization, accusing it of being overly bureaucratic and ineffective. In 2017, he famously threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea during his UN address, a statement that shocked diplomats and underscored his unconventional approach to diplomacy. In 2018, he used the General Assembly to defend his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, arguing that it was a flawed agreement that failed to curb Tehran’s regional ambitions. These moments cemented Trump’s reputation as a disruptor on the global stage, a role he appears eager to reprise in 2025.
The UN, for its part, has long been a target of criticism from U.S. conservatives, who view it as an infringement on American sovereignty. Critics argue that the organization’s structure, which gives equal voting power to small nations and major powers alike, dilutes U.S. influence. They also point to the UN’s peacekeeping operations and human rights councils as examples of inefficiency and bias. Trump has capitalized on these sentiments, framing his opposition to the UN as a defense of American independence.
However, Trump’s stance has drawn criticism from those who argue that disengaging from global institutions weakens the U.S.’s ability to shape international norms and address transnational challenges. “The United States cannot afford to retreat from the world stage,” said Susan Rice, a former U.S. ambassador to the UN under President Barack Obama. “Global problems like climate change, pandemics, and terrorism require collective action. By distancing itself from the UN, the U.S. risks ceding influence to other powers, like China, that are eager to fill the void.”
The Broader Implications of “America First”
Trump’s “America First” policy has far-reaching implications for global governance. By prioritizing national interests over international cooperation, the U.S. under Trump’s leadership is likely to reduce its involvement in multilateral agreements and institutions. This approach could have significant consequences for issues like climate change, where global coordination is essential to achieve meaningful progress. The U.S., as the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, plays a critical role in international climate efforts. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017 was widely criticized for undermining global efforts to combat global warming, and his current administration has shown little interest in rejoining the agreement.
Similarly, Trump’s skepticism of international trade agreements could disrupt global markets. His administration has already imposed tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and the European Union, prompting retaliatory measures that have strained relations with key allies. Economists warn that a return to protectionist policies could lead to higher prices for consumers and slower global economic growth. However, Trump argues that these measures are necessary to protect American workers and industries from unfair competition.
On security matters, Trump’s approach has raised concerns among NATO allies, who fear that a reduced U.S. commitment to the alliance could embolden adversaries like Russia. During his first term, Trump repeatedly criticized NATO members for failing to meet their defense spending targets, even threatening to withdraw U.S. support. In 2025, he has continued to press allies to increase their contributions, while emphasizing that the U.S. will not bear a disproportionate share of the alliance’s costs.
Reactions to Trump’s Address
Trump’s speech elicited a range of reactions from world leaders, diplomats, and analysts. Some praised his emphasis on national sovereignty, arguing that it reflects a realistic approach to international relations. “Every country has the right to prioritize its own interests,” said a diplomat from a non-aligned nation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Trump’s message resonates with those who feel that global institutions often serve the interests of a few powerful nations.”
Others, however, expressed concern about the implications of Trump’s rhetoric. European leaders, in particular, voiced unease about the potential erosion of transatlantic cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron, in his own address to the General Assembly, called for a “renewed commitment to multilateralism” to address global challenges. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, warning that “a fragmented world is a dangerous world.”
At home, Trump’s speech was met with polarized reactions. Supporters hailed it as a bold defense of American interests, while critics accused him of undermining the U.S.’s global leadership. “The UN is far from perfect, but it’s a vital platform for addressing issues that affect us all,” said Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut. “By dismissing it, President Trump is isolating the United States at a time when we need to be working with our allies.”
The Future of U.S. Engagement with the UN
As Trump’s second term unfolds, the future of U.S. engagement with the UN remains uncertain. His administration has signaled plans to review U.S. funding for the organization, which accounts for roughly 22% of the UN’s regular budget and 27% of its peacekeeping budget. Any significant reduction in contributions could hamper the UN’s ability to carry out its mandates, from humanitarian aid to conflict resolution.
Moreover, Trump’s approach could embolden other nations to adopt similar stances, potentially weakening the UN’s authority. Countries like China and Russia, which have their own grievances with the UN, may see an opportunity to expand their influence in a more fragmented international system. China, in particular, has been increasing its presence in UN agencies, contributing to peacekeeping missions and investing in global development initiatives.
At the same time, the UN faces its own challenges, including accusations of inefficiency, corruption, and bias. Reforming the organization has been a long-standing goal, but progress has been slow due to competing interests among member states. Trump’s critique of the UN could add pressure for reform, but it also risks further polarizing the international community.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2025, reaffirmed his commitment to an “America First” foreign policy, distancing the United States from the principles of global cooperation that have long defined the UN’s mission. By emphasizing national sovereignty and criticizing multilateral institutions, Trump set a confrontational tone that contrasted sharply with the calls for unity from other world leaders. His speech highlighted the ongoing tension between unilateralism and multilateralism, a debate that will likely shape global politics for years to come.
As the world grapples with complex challenges like climate change, conflict, and economic uncertainty, the U.S.’s role in international institutions remains a critical question. While Trump’s supporters view his approach as a necessary correction to decades of overreach by global organizations, critics warn that disengagement could undermine the U.S.’s influence and exacerbate global instability. For now, Trump’s vision of a more insular America is clear, but its long-term consequences for the United States and the world remain to be seen.
