Archive · 22 Sep 2026
UN Checks Escalator Ahead of Trump’s New Speech
The United Nations is preparing for Donald Trump to give a speech.
Last year, several pieces of equipment caused problems during his visit.
An escalator stopped while Trump and Melania Trump were riding it.
His teleprompter also stopped working, and he said the problems were sabotage.
UN officials disagreed about who was responsible for some of the problems.
This year, the UN says it has carefully checked the escalator.
It also made special arrangements for the US delegation’s teleprompter.
Some officials were delayed by an air-traffic-control problem, but Trump was not affected.
The United Nations says its escalator has been checked repeatedly before Donald Trump’s Tuesday speech.
Trump accused the UN of “triple sabotage” in 2025 after an escalator stalled, a teleprompter failed and hall audio went quiet.
UN officials previously said Trump’s videographer may have caused the escalator problem and that Trump’s team requested its own teleprompter.
The UN has created new arrangements and a separate workstation for the US delegation’s teleprompter.
A technical problem at an air-traffic-control facility in Philadelphia delayed some officials’ arrivals, but did not affect Trump.
- Who
- The United Nations, Donald Trump, the US delegation and other world leaders are involved.
- What
- The UN is taking precautions to prevent equipment and logistics problems from disrupting Trump’s speech.
- When
- Trump is scheduled to speak on Tuesday; the preparations follow problems at the 2025 gathering.
- Where
- The speech is scheduled at the UN’s headquarters on New York City’s East River.
- Why
- The UN wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s escalator, teleprompter and audio disruptions.
UN Account
Trump’s Account
Responsibility for the disruptions
UN Account
UN officials said Trump’s videographer may have been responsible for the escalator problem and said Trump’s team had insisted on using its own teleprompter. They also said low hall audio is typical because dignitaries use earpieces for translations.
Trump’s Account
Trump accused the organization of “triple sabotage” after the escalator stalled, the teleprompter went dark and he was told the hall’s sound had gone quiet.
Preventing a repeat
UN Account
The UN says the escalator has been checked and rechecked and that new teleprompter arrangements should allow the US delegation to work without problems.
Trump’s Account
Trump’s earlier accusations portrayed the disruptions as intentional sabotage, including his call for the arrest of the person he believed triggered the escalator shutdown.
- Speaker
- Donald Trump
- Organization
- United Nations
- Speech timing
- Tuesday
- Location
- The UN’s East River headquarters in New York City
- New teleprompter arrangement
- A separate workstation was created for the US delegation
- Previous disruptions
- An escalator stalled, a teleprompter went dark and hall audio reportedly went quiet in 2025
- Travel disruption
- A technical problem at an air-traffic-control facility in Philadelphia delayed some officials