Trump demands investigation into ‘sabotage’ during U.N. speech

By Brett Rowland
The Center Square

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an investigation into what he said were “sinister events” before and during his high-profile United Nations speech a day earlier.

Before Trump’s address to the U.N. General Assembly’s 80th session in New York City, the escalator he and his wife Melania were riding stopped. Both were holding onto the railing at the time.

Then, Trump opened his speech saying the teleprompter was not working. After the speech, Trump learned from the first lady that she couldn’t hear anything he said on stage because the sound was off in the room.

The White House called for an investigation on Tuesday after The Times’ Washington Editor Katy Balls reported on Sunday about an escalator stunt.

“To mark Trump’s arrival, UN staff members have joked that they may turn off the escalators and elevators and simply tell him they ran out of money, so he has to walk up the stairs,” she wrote in a piece on Sunday.

The United Nations blamed Trump’s team for the escalator stoppage.

Trump shot back on Wednesday in a social media post.

“This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN,” Trump wrote. “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.”

In the address, Trump criticized European leaders and the United Nations.

“The U.N. has such tremendous potential … but it’s not even coming close to living up to that potential for the most part,” Trump said.

Trump said Tuesday’s incidents confirmed his concerns about the international organization founded in 1945.

“No wonder the United Nations hasn’t been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do,” the second-term Republican president said. “All security tapes at the escalator should be saved, especially the emergency stop button. The Secret Service is involved.”

The Center Square was unsuccessful getting comment from Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for U.N. Secretary General António Guterres of Portugal.