During the recent United Nations General Assembly, former President Donald Trump criticized climate change policies and expressed grievances about what he perceived as equipment failures. Notably, he commented on a malfunctioning escalator that stopped while he and First Lady Melania Trump were using it. Trump described this incident on Truth Social, emphasizing how he felt fortunate that neither of them fell. He alleged that the escalator malfunction and a teleprompter issue might have been part of a deliberate attack on his presence at the UN.
In response to his claims, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the Secret Service would investigate these allegations of sabotage, suggesting intentional actions by UN staff. However, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric later clarified that the escalator’s safety mechanism was inadvertently triggered by a videographer from the U.S. delegation, and not as a result of any external sabotage. Dujarric explained that the escalator stopped due to safety functions designed to prevent accidents.
This incident has fueled a broader discussion among Trump’s supporters, with the hashtag #EscalatorGate trending online. Late-night talk show hosts have also commented humorously on the event, drawing attention to the discrepancy between seriousness and the perceived absurdity of the situation.
- Why it matters:
- This incident highlights ongoing tensions and concerns regarding international diplomacy and U.S. leadership perceptions.
- Public reactions reflect broader societal divides, influencing political discourse and media narratives.
- The latest:
- The UN confirmed that the escalator malfunction was due to a safety feature triggered by a member of the U.S. delegation, negating claims of sabotage.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/09/25/escalatorgate-escalates-and-goes-viral-as-maga-call-out-sabotage-of-un-escalator
Source: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/09/25/escalatorgate-escalates-and-goes-viral-as-maga-call-out-sabotage-of-un-escalator