U.S. President Donald Trump made a provocative return to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, using his first appearance since his White House comeback to sharply criticize the global institution, attack international migration policies, and dismiss climate change concerns as a “con job.”
In his signature confrontational style, Trump accused the UN of failing to promote global peace, alleging that it facilitates “an assault” on Western nations through mass migration. “Your countries are going to hell,” he declared, referring to Western allies dealing with rising immigration numbers.
Trump Targets UN, Climate Change, and Migration
Speaking to world leaders and diplomats at the UN headquarters in New York, the 79-year-old Republican didn’t hold back in his criticism of the institution.
“What is the purpose of the United Nations?” Trump asked. “All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter. It’s empty words, and empty words don’t solve war.”
He also ridiculed the UN’s infrastructure, sarcastically referring to a broken escalator and faulty teleprompter, saying, “These are the two things I got from the United Nations.”
On climate change, Trump repeated familiar rhetoric from his previous administration, calling global warming “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” He dismissed international climate efforts, reigniting tensions with environmental groups and scientific communities.
Criticism of Migration and Global Conflicts
One of the most contentious points in Trump’s speech was his assertion that the UN is “funding an assault” on the West through what he described as open-border policies. He argued that unchecked migration threatens national identities and stability, stating:
“It’s time to end the failed experiment of open borders,” before launching a personal attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, labeling him as a symbol of failed immigration policy.
Trump also turned his attention to ongoing global conflicts, claiming he had helped end “seven wars,” but lamented a lack of progress in Ukraine and Gaza.
He criticized the recognition of Palestinian statehood by U.S. allies as a “reward” to Hamas following the group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, and called for the release of hostages as a prerequisite for peace.
While targeting Europe, China, and India for continued energy dealings with Russia, Trump refrained from directly condemning Moscow, instead offering vague statements about potential U.S. sanctions.
