UN Attributes Trump's Escalator and Teleprompter Issues to U.S. Delegation Actions

During President Donald Trump's visit to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025, two technical issues occurred: an escalator malfunction and a teleprompter failure. The UN has since clarified that these incidents were likely caused by members of the U.S. delegation.

As President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump entered the UN headquarters, the escalator they stepped onto abruptly stopped, requiring them to walk up the stairs. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric explained that a videographer from the U.S. delegation, who was walking ahead of the President and First Lady while filming their arrival, may have inadvertently triggered the escalator's safety mechanism. This mechanism is designed to prevent objects or individuals from being caught in the gearing.

Later, during his speech, President Trump noted that his teleprompter was not functioning. A UN official, speaking anonymously, stated that the teleprompter was operated by the White House, indicating that the malfunction was under their control.

In response to these incidents, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested the possibility of intentional interference. She referenced a report indicating that UN staff had joked about turning off escalators and elevators during President Trump's visit to highlight funding shortages. Leavitt stated, "If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately."

The UN has not provided evidence to support claims of intentional interference and maintains that the incidents were accidental.