From Escalator to Teleprompter — Technical Trouble Follows Trump

Despite the awkward start, the 80th session of the UN General Assembly unfolded as planned. Following opening remarks from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, President Trump was slated as the second world leader to speak, immediately after Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Taking the stage before a room filled with global leaders, Trump quickly encountered his second hurdle of the day. The teleprompter meant to guide his prepared address failed to function.

“I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working,” Trump declared, sparking laughter across the chamber. Turning the setback into a moment of humor, he added, “That way, you speak more from the heart.”

Still, the president couldn’t resist a pointed jab. “I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble,” he quipped, drawing further chuckles from delegates.

After a few minutes, Trump shifted to a printed copy of his remarks, continuing his speech without major disruption. The glitch didn’t derail his delivery, but it marked the second time that day technical issues had left him the center of viral attention.

Beyond the mishaps, Trump’s itinerary remained packed. He held key diplomatic meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Argentine President Javier Milei. Later, he participated in multilateral talks with Arab and Muslim leaders amid mounting international pressure over the Gaza conflict.

The day was capped with a diplomatic reception alongside dozens of world leaders. But despite the serious discussions and high-stakes negotiations, the viral images of Trump and Melania stalled at the bottom of the escalator — followed by the president joking about a broken teleprompter — ensured that lighter, unexpected moments would remain a lasting part of his UN visit.