United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered a fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he launched strong criticism against the UN, European countries, and global policies on migration and climate change.
The address marked his first appearance at the assembly since returning to office.
Trump accused the UN of failing to support his efforts in resolving conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine and the ongoing fighting in Gaza. He claimed that the world body has become ineffective, pointing out that it does little beyond issuing letters that do not bring an end to wars. He also criticized Washington’s allies for recognizing a Palestinian state, arguing that such a move rewarded Hamas after its October 2023 attack on Israel.
The US leader directed harsh words at Europe, blaming its leaders for buying oil from Russia despite sanctions, while also faulting China and India for similar practices. Russia, however, faced softer criticism from him. Migration was another key focus of his address, where he described the current flow of people into Western countries as an invasion that he claimed was destroying societies.
Trump rejected global climate policies, once again branding climate change as a hoax. He insisted that environmental campaigns were being used to mislead nations, while stressing his continued support for oil drilling and rolling back of environmental restrictions.
During his speech, Trump also pointed to his domestic and foreign security policies, citing US military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug operations and his use of troops to clamp down on unrest in Washington. He warned that anyone threatening the United States with drug trafficking or terrorism would face deadly force.
Since his return to the White House, Trump has doubled down on nationalist policies, moving to cut ties with global bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the UN climate pact. He has also scaled down foreign aid and imposed sanctions on international figures he views as interfering in US sovereignty.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in New York on the sidelines of the same UN meeting, said that Trump could only earn recognition such as the Nobel Peace Prize if he succeeds in ending the Gaza conflict. Macron argued that the US has stronger leverage over Israel compared to European countries, given its role in supplying arms and maintaining influence in the region.
The Gaza war, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, has continued to fuel international divisions. Israel has since carried out military assaults and restricted aid to Gaza, worsening humanitarian conditions. Macron added that true peace in the Middle East can only come when Israel eventually recognizes a Palestinian state, a process that remains stalled despite recent debates at the UN.