Donald Trump’s recent appearance at the United Nations General Assembly was marred by a series of technical difficulties, which the former President swiftly denounced as “triple sabotage” in a fiery post-event statement. The alleged incidents—a stalled escalator, a faulty teleprompter, and an inaudible sound system—have ignited a new controversy, prompting a formal investigation request and once again pitting the former administration against the global body.
The first incident occurred as Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were ascending to the main speaking floor. An escalator, according to Trump, came to a “screeching halt,” nearly causing them to fall and forcing the couple to climb the rest of the way. Later, at the podium, Trump was forced to ad-lib part of his address after his prepared remarks on the teleprompter went “stone cold dark.” He even joked to the delegates, “Whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.”
The final, and perhaps most frustrating, point of “sabotage” was the sound system. Trump claimed in his social media post that the audio was “completely off” in the auditorium, rendering his speech inaudible to world leaders unless they used interpreter earpieces. He cited his wife, Melania, as a direct witness, stating she couldn’t hear “a word he said.” Characterizing the trifecta as “three very sinister events,” Trump demanded an “immediate” investigation and called for all security footage, particularly around the escalator’s emergency stop button, to be preserved.
The United Nations, however, has offered a strikingly different narrative, largely absolving its staff of deliberate malice. Regarding the escalator, a UN spokesperson stated that an investigation showed the malfunction was caused by a built-in safety mechanism that was inadvertently triggered. They suggested a White House videographer, moving backward to film the Trumps’ arrival, may have activated the sensor.
The teleprompter issue was similarly deflected, with UN officials noting that the teleprompter equipment for the President’s speech was operated and controlled entirely by the US delegation—not the United Nations’ technical team. The claim of a completely dead sound system was also met with skepticism, as video of the address shows the audience reacting in real-time with laughter and applause to several of Trump’s remarks, including his jokes about the technical mishaps.
Despite the UN’s explanations, which suggest a combination of accidental staff error and issues with the U.S. delegation’s own equipment, the former President remains convinced of a deliberate plot. This public airing of grievances on the world stage—dubbed “Escalatorgate” by some commentators—serves as a flashpoint for ongoing tensions between the former administration and the UN, an institution Trump has frequently criticized for what he views as inefficiency and a lack of support for U.S. interests. The Secret Service is reportedly looking into the incident, ensuring the story remains a high-profile topic.
Reference – https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/24/politics/trump-demands-investigation-into-alleged-sabotage-united-nations
