Trump Condemns UN, Europe In Blistering UN General Assembly Speech

At the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a scathing critique of the world body, Europe, and global policies on migration and climate change. His hour-long speech on Tuesday, his first since returning to office, was a full-frontal assault on international cooperation and a reiteration of his “America First” agenda. The address was met with near-total silence from world leaders, a sharp contrast to his previous appearance in 2018.

Trump opened his remarks by questioning the very purpose of the United Nations, arguing that it has not lived up to its potential and has failed to assist his administration in ending conflicts. He claimed that the UN’s efforts amount to nothing more than “empty words” and that only “action” can solve wars. His list of grievances extended to his own personal experience at the UN headquarters, where he complained about a broken escalator and a faulty teleprompter. He also criticized the UN for “funding an assault” on Western nations, a direct reference to the body’s humanitarian programs that provide assistance to migrants.

One of the central themes of the speech was a strong denunciation of international migration. Trump warned European leaders that their countries were “going to hell” because of what he described as a “failed experiment of open borders.” He urged nations to close their borders and “expel foreigners,” echoing the nationalist policies that have been a cornerstone of his political career. He also expressed concern that a “globalist migration agenda” was “destroying your heritage” and was being pursued out of a misplaced sense of “political correctness.”

Trump reserved some of his strongest language for climate change, which he dismissed as the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” He called renewable energy a “green scam” and warned countries investing in it that their economies would “fail.” This stance aligns with his second-term policies, which have focused on expanding oil drilling and rolling back environmental protections. His comments on climate change drew a sharp contrast with the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who had earlier warned that the planet was “burning” due to climate chaos.

The President also weighed in on international conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. He reiterated his offer to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but conditioned it on European countries immediately ceasing all energy purchases from Russia. He was also highly critical of what he called the “reward” of recognizing a Palestinian state for the “horrible atrocities” committed by Hamas in its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This came as several of Washington’s allies, including Canada and the UK, had recently announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that the U.S. had boycotted.

Trump’s speech, which was much longer than the allotted time, also touched on his tough crime policies and military actions, including sending troops to Washington and ordering deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats. His “America First” posture and his willingness to pursue unilateral actions and sanction foreign judges have been a major source of tension with the international community. As the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary, the organization faces significant challenges, including a cash crunch due to steep U.S. funding cuts. As one UN official told Dependable NG, they may be forced to do “less with less” in the face of these financial difficulties. Trump’s address was a clear signal that his administration’s skepticism towards multilateral institutions and his focus on national interests will continue to define his foreign policy.