Trump says UN escalator could've hurt him and Melania, demands probe into 'triple sabotage'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump has demanded an investigation and an arrest following the malfunction of an escalator, which he claims could have gravely injured him and the first lady, Melania Trump, at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24.
Following the unusual events at the assembly hall, Trump also claimed that he was a victim of “triple sabotage,” pointing to the escalator incident, a broken teleprompter, and an audio issue at the assembly.
Trump blasts UN over escalator scare, calls incident ‘absolute sabotage’
Taking to the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!"
Referring to the escalator incident, he wrote, “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.”
Trump also cited what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said about a Sunday Times report claiming that UN staff had joked about turning off the escalators and elevators to prank the president, which he labeled as “absolute sabotage,” demanding the arrest of those responsible.
Trump slams UN over audio problems during speech
Trump was also furious about the audio quality of his speech, which was confirmed by his wife, who said she could barely hear him.
"I was told that the sound was completely off in the Auditorium where the Speech was made, that World Leaders, unless they used the interpreters' earpieces, couldn't hear a thing.
The first person I saw at the conclusion of the Speech was Melania, who was sitting right up front. I said, 'How did I do?' And she said, 'I couldn't hear a word you said,'" said Trump.
A UN official told The Daily Mail that it was set up that way by design. "The sound system was designed to allow people at their seats to hear speeches being translated into six different languages through earpieces. It has been like this for decades," the official clarified.
Trump says UN teleprompter failed during speech, forced to go unscripted
Speaking about the teleprompter malfunction, Trump remarked that it went “stone cold dark” as he was about to address fellow leaders.
He added, “I then proceeded to make a Speech without a teleprompter, which kicked in about 15 minutes later. The good news is the Speech has gotten fantastic reviews. Maybe they appreciated the fact that very few people could have done what I did.”
According to a UN spokesperson, the teleprompter was operated by a White House staff member.
Trump urges UN probe after claiming ‘triple sabotage’ during speech
Trump said, "All of this wasn't a coincidence; this was triple sabotage at the UN."
“They ought to be ashamed of themselves. I'm sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary General, and I demand an immediate investigation. No wonder the United Nations hasn't been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do.
All security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button. The Secret Service is involved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he wrote.
