In a passionate address at the United Nations on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized fundamental principles of the global organization and advocated for Western nations to embrace policies similar to those espoused by the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, particularly regarding migration and climate change.
During his nearly hour-long speech at the UN General Assembly, Trump focused less on resolving major global conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, and more on denouncing what he termed the “globalist migration agenda” and disparaging efforts to combat what he referred to as the “global warming hoax.” His assertion that the international drive against climate change is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” elicited surprised reactions from some in attendance.
Trump urged European leaders to swiftly take charge of what he labeled as the uncontrolled immigration crisis and the purported energy catastrophe, warning that failure to act promptly would lead to the ruin of their nations’ heritage. His remarks hinted at a potential seismic shift in the global order if other countries were to heed his calls, considering existing UN-backed agreements on climate change and refugee rights.
While expectations were high for Trump to critique UN bureaucracy and expenditure, his harshest criticisms were directed at the organization’s handling of immigration issues. He accused the UN of exacerbating the so-called crisis of uncontrolled migration and facilitating illegal entry into the U.S. by providing support to undocumented immigrants.
Despite his administration’s withdrawal of financial support from various UN entities during his presidency, Trump escalated these actions in his second term, including pulling out of the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on climate change. These moves were accompanied by efforts to curtail U.S. participation and funding in international organizations, prompting a significant reduction in the UN’s core budget and operational capacity.
Trump’s emphasis on migration and environmental policies over addressing ongoing conflicts, notably in Gaza and Ukraine, attracted scrutiny from analysts. His claims of ending multiple wars were met with skepticism, as critics pointed out the lack of progress in resolving key global disputes. The President’s bold assertions and confrontational approach were seen as unlikely to bring about substantive change in these protracted conflicts.
