During his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2025, President Donald Trump encountered unexpected technical difficulties that led to a humorous moment. As he began his speech, Trump realized the teleprompter was not working. Displaying characteristic wit, he declared, “I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working,” quickly eliciting laughter from the assembly.
Trump then directed a two-word “threat” at those operating the equipment: “Whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.” The remark lightened the mood before he switched to reading from printed notes. Earlier in the day, an escalator at the UN had also stopped abruptly while Trump and First Lady Melania were riding, adding to the technical misfortunes of his visit.
Despite the glitches, Trump delivered a lengthy speech addressing major global issues, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, while interspersing personal commentary and critiques of the UN’s effectiveness. The teleprompter malfunction provided a moment of levity amid serious discussions and underscored the complexities of live international addresses.
