UN Rejects Sabotage Claims After Escalator Malfunction as Trump Steps On!
Sele Media Africa
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan
New York, September 24, 2025 — The United Nations has denied allegations of deliberate sabotage following an incident in which an escalator malfunctioned just as U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stepped onto it during their arrival at the UN headquarters.
Incident Unfolds at UN
During his address to the UN General Assembly, President Trump remarked with bemusement that “all I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle.” The escalator abruptly halted moments after the Trumps stepped on — forcing them to walk up the motionless steps.
In addition to the escalator issue, Trump also experienced teleprompter failure. He quipped: “Whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded forcefully, calling the escalator halt “suspicious” and demanding that any UN staff found culpable “be fired and investigated immediately.”
Leavitt even floated the possibility of intentional interference and asserted the U.S. would seek accountability.
UN’s Explanation: Safety Mechanism Triggered
The UN fired back swiftly. Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric explained that a videographer from the U.S. delegation, walking ahead of the Trump party, may have inadvertently triggered a built-in safety mechanism in the escalator’s comb step — a feature designed to prevent objects from being caught in its gears. According to the UN, machine logs from the escalator’s central processing unit corroborated the stoppage cause.
He emphasized there was no evidence to support sabotage.
On the issue of the teleprompter, the UN declined detailed comment — noting that the teleprompter used by President Trump was operated by his own team.
Context & Reaction
Observers note such technical glitches are not uncommon in UN facilities, especially amid ongoing financial constraints and delayed funding from key donors. Some UN offices have intermittently shut down escalators and elevators as a cost-saving measure.
Following Trump’s speech, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock affirmed that the UN teleprompters were functioning properly.
Conservative media voices have since amplified the sabotage theory. Fox News host Jesse Watters, for instance, demanded accountability and even suggested more drastic action against the UN building — though his remarks drew criticism as extreme.
Analysis & Implications
The UN’s use of machine diagnostics and safety logs to support its explanation strengthens the case for an accidental malfunction, rather than intentional interference.
However, the speed and intensity of the White House’s accusation reflect strained relations and distrust between U.S. leadership and the UN.
The incident might become a symbolic flashpoint — with each side leveraging the event to support broader narratives: Trump’s critique of the UN, and UN assertions of procedural integrity.
Going forward, investigations by independent technical experts or third parties could either validate or challenge the official UN account.
Conclusion
While the White House insists on a probe into possible sabotage, the UN maintains the escalator malfunction was caused by an inadvertent triggering of safety protocols — not malicious action. As the debate continues, the incident underscores how even mechanical glitches can be politicized on the global stage.
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