When President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania arrived at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 24, 2025, a surprising moment captured global attention: the escalator they stepped onto abruptly stopped. This unexpected stall forced them to walk up the escalator stairs manually, leading to public speculation about whether this was a technical glitch or something more sinister.
The 79-year-old President, known for his sharp wit, made light of the incident during his speech. “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that, on the way up, stopped right in the middle. If the first lady wasn’t in great shape, she would have fallen, but she’s in great shape. We’re both in good shape,” he joked.
Despite the humor, many questioned the reaction of Trump’s security detail. A tweet that went viral questioned why the Secret Service did not immediately cover or evacuate the President when he became a stationary target during the halt. Others reminded skeptics of the rigorous security checks the UN enforces before any dignitary arrives, noting that any hidden threats would likely be neutralized long before arrival.
When the escalator came to a sudden halt, Secret Service just looked around hoping someone would fix the problem.
That wasn’t supposed to happen and it turned Trump into a stationary target. Why did they not cover and evacuate him immediately? pic.twitter.com/Crtg2yPKbq
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) September 23, 2025
Amidst mounting intrigue, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called for an immediate investigation and the firing of whoever might have deliberately caused the stoppage, referencing reports that UN staff once joked about turning off escalators to make Trump walk.
The UN issued a detailed statement explaining the situation. A videographer from the US delegation, moving backwards up the escalator to capture footage, unintentionally triggered a built-in safety mechanism designed to prevent entrapment or injury. The escalator was promptly reset and no evidence of foul play was found.
The incident has since sparked conversation about the heightened drama surrounding Trump’s high-profile visit, reflecting how small mechanical failures can prompt widespread speculation in charged political climates.
