Furious Donald Trump has torn into the United Nations, accusing it of “triple sabotage" in an explosive online rant. The US President’s historic speech at the opening of the General Assembly on Wednesday - during which he delivered a series of brutal home truths to world leaders, including London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan - was overshadowed by “sinister” events, including a failing escalator, a malfunctioning teleprompter, and issues with sound in the auditorium.
Mr Trump said all three bore the hallmarks of inside interference and said he was sending a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanding an immediate investigation. On his Truth Social platform, he raged: "A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations - not one, not two, but three very sinister events! This wasn't a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves."
He also called for the arrest of those people responsible for the escalator incident - a reference to the moving stairs abruptly stopping as he and First Lady Melania Trump stepped on - with sensational claims UN workers joked about turning it off.
Mr Trump added: “This was absolutely sabotage. All security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button. The Secret Service is involved.”
The UN has said a safety mechanism might have been triggered by a White House videographer who had been travelling backwards up the escalator while the teleprompter belonged to the US delegation.
A UN official said the sound system was designed to allow people to hear translated speeches through earpieces.
Every September, leaders from around the world gather at the United Nations in New York to debate and pass resolutions on the biggest issues facing the planet. The UN General Assembly opens every year in September with President Trump effectively addressing the world during the opening of the 80th session on Wednesday.
Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN, called the incidents "unacceptable".
Writing on X he said: "The United States will not tolerate threats to our security or dignity at international forums. We expect swift cooperation and decisive action”.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Mr Trump's videographer "may have inadvertently triggered the safety function" while filming the couple.
After the escalator embarrassment President Trump ran into more technical difficulties when he said the teleprompter was not working -prompting laughter among delegates - although it was restored towards the end of his address.
He stormed: "I can only say that whoever's operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.”
He also made reference to audio issues, saying "the sound was completely off in the auditorium”, adding: "World leaders, unless they used interpreters' earpieces, couldn't hear a thing.”
However, despite the technical gremlins, President Trump was able to unleash an extraordinary rant aimed squarely at Britain and Europe, which are “going to hell” because of immigration. He also dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”.
During his incredible outburst he warned “immigration and suicidal energy ideas will be the death of western Europe”.
And just days after his state visit to Britain and gala banquet with King Charles and Queen Camilla at St George's Hall inside Windsor Castle he claimed London was adopting Islamic sharia law, labelling Sir Sadiq a “terrible, terrible mayor”.
