Donald Trump has demanded a full investigation into what he described as “sinister events” that occurred during his recent visit to the United Nations. Speaking publicly and writing on his social media platform, he alleged that he was the target of three deliberate acts of sabotage, which he called “triple sabotage.”
The first incident involved an escalator malfunction. Trump and First Lady Melania had stepped onto an escalator inside the U.N. building when, according to him, it suddenly stopped without warning. He claimed both of them nearly fell, and said it was remarkable that no one was injured. Trump insisted this was not a random technical issue but something intentional.
The second problem arose when Trump began his formal address to the General Assembly. He said that his teleprompter went completely dark at the start of his remarks, forcing him to speak without prepared text. He argued that this too was no coincidence, stressing that it created a serious disruption and that the malfunction was likely orchestrated.
The third issue came during his speech itself. According to Trump, the sound system in the hall failed. He stated that unless listeners wore interpreter earpieces, his words could not be heard clearly. Melania Trump later confirmed to him that she could not hear a word he said from her seat. Trump used this to bolster his claim that the technical failures were intentional attempts to embarrass him on the world stage.
Trump said the Secret Service is now reviewing the incidents and called on the United Nations to preserve all relevant security footage, especially anything connected to the escalator’s emergency stop controls. He also sent a letter to Secretary-General António Guterres demanding an immediate investigation. Trump warned that these events represented more than inconveniences and amounted to a coordinated effort to undermine a U.S. president at an international gathering.
U.N. officials, however, offered alternative explanations. A spokesperson suggested that the escalator might have stopped because a videographer was backing up on it, triggering the safety mechanism. They also clarified that the teleprompter was operated by Trump’s own staff, not by U.N. personnel. As for the sound issue, they explained that speeches in the General Assembly are normally heard through interpreter earpieces, and there was no evidence of a deliberate cutoff.
Despite these explanations, Trump has remained firm in his belief that he was sabotaged. He accused his opponents of downplaying the events and argued that if such incidents had happened to another world leader, they would be treated as major security breaches. He described the U.N. as a place filled with corruption and dysfunction, claiming the so-called accidents proved his point.
Critics and commentators have debated his version of events. Some see his accusations as exaggerated or politically motivated, designed to portray himself as a victim of global conspiracies. Others believe the incidents, though perhaps coincidental, raise legitimate questions about preparedness and security during such high-profile appearances.
Trump’s speech itself, already controversial for its sharp criticism of global institutions and warnings about open borders, has been overshadowed by the uproar over the supposed sabotage. Supporters argue that the failures embarrassed the United States and that Trump is right to demand accountability. Detractors counter that he is exploiting ordinary malfunctions for political theater.
Whether or not an investigation proves his claims, Trump’s allegations have placed new pressure on the United Nations. For many observers, the episode reflects broader tensions between Trump and multilateral organizations, as well as his tendency to cast challenges in dramatic terms. For now, the “sinister events” at the U.N. remain a matter of dispute, with Trump demanding answers and the world watching to see whether his accusations lead to concrete findings or fade into the swirl of political controversy.
