Former US President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 23/9/2025 to address the General Assembly. However, as they stepped onto an escalator, it abruptly stopped, momentarily startling Melania Trump.
Donald Trump glanced around, seemingly questioning the sudden halt. He, Melania Trump, and Secret Service personnel then proceeded to walk up the stationary escalator.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed frustration on X, "If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator while the President and First Lady were on it, they should be fired and investigated immediately,". She further warned that any UN employee deliberately attempting to cause the Trumps to stumble would face prosecution, adding that the US Secret Service was also investigating.
The UN swiftly launched an investigation and identified the cause. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, explained that a building technician determined a White House videographer had inadvertently activated the escalator's emergency stop mechanism. "The escalator stopped after its safety mechanism was triggered. This mechanism is designed to prevent people or objects from being pulled into the escalator. The White House videographer likely accidentally pressed the button," Dujarric stated.
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Donald and Melania Trump on the malfunctioning escalator at UN headquarters on 23/9. Photo: Reuters |
Donald and Melania Trump on the malfunctioning escalator at UN headquarters on 23/9. Photo: Reuters
The escalator wasn't the only technical hiccup during Trump's visit. He also noted a malfunctioning teleprompter as he began his address. "I don't mind giving this speech without a teleprompter, because it's not working. Two things I got from the UN: a broken escalator and a broken teleprompter," he remarked to the assembly. He jokingly added that the person in charge of the teleprompter was "in big trouble." However, a UN official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press (AP), later clarified that a White House staffer operated the teleprompter.
Trump later downplayed the incidents on Truth Social, suggesting they added an element of amusement to his UN address. "It's always an honor to speak at the UN, even if their equipment has a few hiccups," he wrote.
Ngoc Anh (According to NBC, AP, ABC)
