In a speech that drew both bewilderment and condemnation from global observers, US President Donald Trump used his latest address to the United Nations General Assembly to sharply criticise the organisation, disparage international climate efforts, and make sweeping claims about his own leadership record.
Delivered on 23 September during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week — which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the organisation’s founding in 1945 — the nearly hour-long speech saw Trump reject multilateralism, question the legitimacy of climate science, and attack the immigration and energy policies of foreign governments.
Due to technical issues with the teleprompter, much of the address was delivered off-script, veering frequently into personal anecdotes and improvised commentary.
Rebuke of the UN and its mission
Trump repeatedly criticised the United Nations itself, questioning its relevance and accusing it of inaction.
“What is the purpose of the United Nations?” he asked rhetorically. “All they seem to do is write strongly worded letters.”
He also mocked the UN headquarters building in New York, describing it as poorly built and recalling an incident involving a malfunctioning escalator. Trump used this anecdote to revisit his longstanding claim that he could have renovated the UN complex more efficiently had his proposal been accepted.
According to CNN’s Daniel Dale, Trump’s critique of the UN’s effectiveness overlooked the organisation’s continued involvement in global peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and conflict mediation.
Climate change dismissed as a “green scam”
One of the most contentious aspects of Trump’s address was his full-throated rejection of climate change science. He referred to climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and labelled renewable energy technologies as ineffective and expensive.
“We’re getting rid of the falsely named renewables,” Trump declared, calling wind turbines “pathetic” and blaming environmental policies for economic decline. “If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail.”
He accused the UN and environmental scientists of deliberately misleading governments, claiming predictions about climate change had consistently been “wrong” and crafted by “stupid people.”
The remarks were at odds with current scientific consensus and the role the UN has played in coordinating global climate accords, such as the Paris Agreement.
Claims of ending wars and restoring respect
Trump claimed he had ended seven wars during his time in office, asserting that the UN had no involvement in resolving these conflicts.
“It’s too bad that I had to do these things instead of the United Nations doing them,” he said, adding that he had not received “a single phone call” from the UN offering assistance.
Fact-checks suggest the reality is more complex. According to CNN, while Trump facilitated talks in conflicts like Armenia-Azerbaijan, many of the conflicts mentioned were either not formally declared wars or were already under negotiation via other actors, including Qatar and the African Union.
Nonetheless, Trump portrayed himself as a lone global peacemaker, stating, “Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize… but for me, the real prize will be the sons and daughters who live to grow up with their mothers and fathers.”
Harsh rhetoric on immigration and Europe
Trump issued a dire warning to European leaders, accusing them of “destroying their countries” through open-border policies.
“Illegal aliens are pouring into Europe… Nobody’s doing anything to change it,” he said. “Your countries are going to hell.”
He repeatedly warned of cultural and economic collapse, claiming that “radical environmentalists” wanted to eliminate cows and shut down factories. He dismissed the concept of the carbon footprint as “nonsense” and accused unnamed forces of trying to erase national identities.
The speech, while ostensibly addressed to the UN, appeared to be as much a rallying cry for nationalist policies abroad as a statement of US foreign policy.
Renewed attack on international energy cooperation
Trump also criticised NATO countries for continuing to import Russian energy, stating, “They’re funding the war against themselves.”
He contrasted Europe’s energy costs with those of China and the US, and lamented that Europeans could not afford air conditioning. This, he claimed, had led to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths annually.
While Europe has indeed seen rising electricity prices, the causes are complex and include market volatility, conflict in Ukraine, and climate-related demand surges.
Foreign policy assertions and military threats
Trump claimed that the US military was engaged in operations against “Venezuelan terrorists” and threatened to “blow you out of existence” if drug trafficking continued.
He offered no details about the legal framework for such actions, raising questions about authorisation and international law compliance.
He also announced plans to lead a new global effort to enforce biological weapons conventions, proposing an AI-based verification system. The specifics of this proposal were vague, but Trump said the UN could play a role.
Mockery and personal anecdotes
Throughout the address, Trump frequently turned to personal stories, including previous business dealings with the UN, frustrations with teleprompters, and references to his poll numbers.
At one point, he boasted: “I’ve been right about everything,” using this claim to reinforce his warnings against environmental policy and immigration.
He concluded by warning global leaders: “You want to be nice, you want to be politically correct, and you’re destroying your heritage.”
Response and implications
Trump’s speech drew immediate criticism from environmental groups, UN diplomats, and European officials.
Observers noted the speech reflected a continuation of Trump’s “America First” doctrine, with added hostility toward climate science and international cooperation.
While some world leaders refrained from immediate comment, others privately described the speech as “unhinged” and “deeply damaging” to global consensus-building, according to foreign affairs analysts cited by Reuters.
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