Trump slams UN, backs Israel at assembly
Donald Trump rejects Palestinian statehood and warns Russia on Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a 56‑minute address to the United Nations General Assembly that combined a broad assault on the U.N., a hard‑line warning to Russia, and staunch support for Israel while rejecting a Palestinian state. He opened by questioning the very purpose of the United Nations, calling it “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and dismissing climate‑change science as a hoax. Trump claimed the U.N. offers only “empty words” that do not resolve wars, yet he affirmed that the United States will continue to back the organization’s mission.
On migration, he urged an end to “the failed experiment of open borders,” citing his own immigration crackdown as a model for other nations. Human‑rights groups countered that migrants are fleeing hardship and seeking better lives.
Regarding Russia, Trump threatened “a very strong round of powerful tariffs” unless Moscow negotiates over Ukraine, labeled the country a “paper tiger,” and urged NATO members to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace. He has previously called for Europe to halt Russian oil purchases but has not yet enacted the sanctions he has discussed.
In the Middle East, Trump rejected Western moves to recognise a Palestinian state, describing such steps as rewarding Hamas atrocities. He called for an immediate cease‑fire‑for‑hostages deal in Gaza, insisting the United States will secure the return of all hostages, alive or dead, and pledged unwavering U.S. support for Israel.
The speech also featured a brief technical complaint about a malfunctioning escalator and a faulty teleprompter. Trump framed the remarks as a continuation of his “America First” doctrine, emphasizing national sovereignty, stronger pressure on adversaries, and a skeptical view of multilateral institutions.
