Trump says UN escalator outage was 'absolutely sabotage' – calls for arrests
Share and Follow

President Trump urged for arrests to be made regarding an incident at the United Nations headquarters where an escalator abruptly stopped functioning just as he and first lady Melania Trump stepped onto it on Tuesday.

The unexpected halt nearly resulted in the first lady losing her balance and was one of no fewer than three issues Trump, aged 79, observed while he was present in the building to deliver a speech to world leaders and diplomats at the UN General Assembly in New York.

“A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!” Trump stated on Truth Social Wednesday.

“First, the escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt. It stopped on a dime. It’s amazing that Melania and I didn’t fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first. It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster,” the president continued. 

Trump argued the escalator incident was “absolutely sabotage,” pointing to a Times of London report that UN staffers had been overheard joking that they might switch off the escalator and make Trump walk to the hall to give his speech.

“The people that did it should be arrested!” the president fumed. 

A UN spokesperson suggested a member of Trump’s entourage may be to blame for the stalling of the escalator. 

“In an effort to document their arrival, a videographer from the US delegation stepped on to the escalator ahead of the President and First Lady,” Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said in a statement. “As the videographer, who was traveling backwards up the escalator reached the top , the First Lady, followed by President Trump, each mounted the steps at the bottom. At that moment (9:50am), the escalator came to a stop.” 

“A subsequent investigation, including a readout of the machine’s central processing unit, indicated that the escalator had stopped after a built-in safety mechanism on the comb step was triggered at the top of the escalator,” Dujarric added. “The safety mechanism is designed to prevent people or objects accidentally being caught and stuck in or pulled into the gearing.”

“The videographer may have inadvertently triggered the safety function described above.”

Trump demanded an “immediate investigation” into the incident and said “all security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button.” 

“The Secret Service is involved,” the president noted. 

Trump’s teleprompter also stopped working as he delivered his speech, and the president claims his remarks couldn’t be heard by anyone in the auditorium not wearing an earpiece. 

“It was stone cold dark,” Trump said of the teleprompter. “I immediately thought to myself, ;Wow, first the escalator event, and now a bad teleprompter. What kind of a place is this?’” 

The president said the teleprompter “kicked in about 15 minutes later.”

Trump said he learned of the audio issue at the end of his speech, when he asked Melania, “How did I do?” 

“And she said, ‘I couldn’t hear a word you said,’” the president said.  

“This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

The UN did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Jacksonville Iceman to compete amid possible strike on the East Coast Hockey League

Jacksonville Iceman Set to Compete Despite Potential East Coast Hockey League Strike

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is setting its sights on resolving…
AMERICAN troops may be deployed to Nigeria, official says

U.S. Considers Troop Deployment to Nigeria: What You Need to Know

A Nigerian official has hinted at the possibility of American troops being…
Former Florida law enforcement officer accused of forcing 6-year-old underwater in hotel pool: report

Ex-Florida Police Officer Allegedly Submerges 6-Year-Old in Hotel Pool, Report Reveals

A former law enforcement officer, known for her talks to students about…
Chicago celebrates 1st day of Kwanzaa with holiday events across city, including Malcolm X College, Bronzeville Children's Museum

Chicago Kicks Off Kwanzaa Festivities with Events at Malcolm X College and Bronzeville Children’s Museum

CHICAGO (WLS) — The city of Chicago kicked off Kwanzaa with a…
These are Americans' top New Year's resolutions for 2026: Survey

Discover the Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions for Americans in 2026: Survey Insights

by: Ashleigh Fields, The Hill Posted: Dec 26, 2025 / 05:08 PM…
Principal takes in foster teen and ends up changing both their lives

Heartwarming Journey: How One Principal’s Act of Kindness Transformed Her Life and a Foster Teen’s Future

Three years ago, a Michigan principal made a life-changing decision when he…
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Shocking Incident: Woman Injured During Northside Jacksonville Group Confrontation

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that those involved in a recent altercation…
gif student swipes TPUSA table steals signs

Unyielding TPUSA Leader Stands Firm Amid Harassment & Hostility After Kirk’s Tragic Death

In the heart of Phoenix, a fierce determination is shining through the…