Trump’s List of Alleged Sabotage Incidents
Trump outlined three separate events that he believes were deliberate attempts to undermine him. First, he said an escalator carrying him and his entourage suddenly came to a halt. The U.N. later clarified that the stop was triggered accidentally by a U.S. delegation videographer who brushed the emergency mechanism.
Second, Trump claimed his teleprompter “went dark” in the middle of his speech, leaving him to continue without assistance. U.N. officials, however, noted that the teleprompter system was operated by the White House team, not by the international body.
The third incident involved sound malfunctions. Trump said his remarks were inaudible to many in the audience, including his wife Melania, except through interpreter earpieces. “This wasn’t coincidence. This was triple sabotage,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
UN and White House Responses
Stephane Dujarric, the U.N. spokesperson, said there was no evidence of foul play in the escalator stoppage, calling it an inadvertent trigger. On the teleprompter issue, officials emphasized that the system was under U.S. control. Regarding the sound, sources indicated the U.N. had not received complaints from other delegations during Trump’s speech.
Despite this, Trump maintained that the sequence of failures could not have been accidental and asked the Secret Service to examine the U.N.’s security footage. He also demanded accountability, saying those responsible “should be arrested.”
Speech Marred by Controversy
Earlier at the General Assembly, Trump criticized the U.N. as an institution that had “squandered its potential.” He rebuked European allies for their handling of the Ukraine conflict and immigration, declaring that some nations were “going to hell.”
Observers noted that the alleged disruptions overshadowed his core message and fueled his combative narrative. The episode adds to a string of controversies surrounding Trump’s interactions with global institutions during his presidency.
Secret Service Involvement
Trump has formally asked the Secret Service to investigate and preserve security footage related to the escalator incident. It remains unclear whether the agency will also review the teleprompter and sound issues, given the White House’s role in managing those systems.
The controversy has stirred political debate in Washington, with supporters echoing Trump’s claims of sabotage while critics dismiss them as exaggerations. The outcome of the Secret Service inquiry is expected to determine whether the incidents were simply technical mishaps or something more deliberate.
