Donald Trump has demanded an investigation into what he called a 'triple sabotage' during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.
In a post on social media, the US president referred to an escalator abruptly stopping as he and First Lady Melania Trump stepped on, a teleprompter malfunctioning during his speech, and an audio issue in the auditorium.
A UN official stated the sound system was designed to allow attendees to hear translated speeches through earpieces, addressing concerns about audio clarity during Trump's address.
Previously, the UN suggested that a safety mechanism may have been inadvertently triggered by Trump's videographer who was traveling backwards up the escalator while the teleprompter incident was attributed to technical measures within the US delegation's equipment.
Criticizing the events, Trump stated on Truth Social, 'A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday - Not one, not two, but three very sinister events! This wasn't a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.'
In addition, Trump has called for the arrest of those responsible for the escalator incident, referencing a report asserting that UN workers joked about turning off the escalators as the couple approached. Trump's remarks suggested he believed that the events were intentional, urging for security tapes to be saved for review.
Likewise, Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the UN, backed Trump’s call for an investigation, stating that such incidents were 'unacceptable'. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt raised similar concerns regarding potential malintent behind the escalator stoppage.
The teleprompter mishap compounded Trump’s frustration, as he noted some functionality was restored later in his address. He noted, 'whoever's operating this teleprompter is in big trouble,' after initially struggling due to the equipment's malfunctions.
As for audio issues, Trump remarked that world leaders could only hear through interpreter earpieces, describing the experience as chaotic. In response, a UN official reiterated that the audio system was tailored to accommodate multiple languages.
Despite technical troubles, the incidents have galvanized Trump's supporters and drawn criticism aimed at the UN's operational standards, highlighting potential challenges tied to international cooperation and diplomatic protocols.
