Escalator Pause and Teleprompter Glitch Add Unplanned Moments to Trump’s UN Visit
An unexpected technical interruption briefly altered the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, when an escalator carrying the couple came to a sudden stop moments before a scheduled address to world leaders.
The pair continued upward on foot without incident and proceeded to the assembly hall.
Mechanical Stop Sparks Questions
Following the occurrence, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration wanted the situation reviewed, noting reports that some UN personnel had previously made jokes about limiting escalator or elevator access during the visit.
She stated that if any intentional interference were found, accountability would be expected. U.S. Secret Service personnel were also said to be aware of the matter.
UN Explanation: Safety System Activated
United Nations officials quickly clarified that the stoppage resulted from a built-in safety feature rather than human interference.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, a videographer walking backward ahead of the presidential delegation stepped onto the escalator first. When the individual reached the top, sensors triggered an automatic stop mechanism designed to prevent entanglement or falls.
NEW: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls for investigation after a UN escalator shut off as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stepped on.
According to The Times, UN staff members had previously “joked” about turning off the escalator.
“To mark Trump’s… pic.twitter.com/UE1AFdCn2R
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 23, 2025
A technician reset the escalator within moments, allowing normal operation to resume.
UN representatives emphasized that internal diagnostics confirmed a routine safety activation and found no evidence of deliberate action.
Light-Hearted Response During Address
Later, while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly session, Trump referenced the episode with humor, drawing laughter from delegates.
He also joked about a brief teleprompter interruption early in the speech, improvising remarks until the display resumed functioning minutes later.
The unscripted moments added a rare informal note to the address, which otherwise focused on foreign policy and criticism of the UN’s effectiveness in resolving global conflicts.
🚨 NEW: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says OBAMA’S FBI & CIA directors committed “corruption at the highest level” and promises the “TRUTH” will come out. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/gHGIARVj5E
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) July 9, 2025
Context: Ongoing Tensions With the UN
Trump has frequently expressed skepticism toward the United Nations, arguing the organization has been slow or ineffective in addressing international disputes. In his remarks, he again contrasted his administration’s diplomatic efforts with what he described as limited institutional support from the body.
What Is Confirmed
Escalator briefly stopped during Trump arrival
UN says safety sensor triggered by videographer movement
Equipment reset quickly; no injuries reported
Teleprompter paused briefly during speech
No evidence of sabotage identified by UN
Technical disruptions occasionally occur even in highly secured venues, where safety systems are intentionally sensitive to movement around mechanical equipment.
🚨 LMAO! President Trump on the UN: “The teleprompter was broken and the escalator came to a sudden hault as we were ridding up to the podium, but both of those events probably made the speech more interesting than it would have been otherwise. It is always an honor to speak at… pic.twitter.com/YUb3yn6vHp
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 23, 2025
In this case, officials on both sides acknowledged the interruption, though explanations differed in tone: the White House sought review, while UN technicians attributed the stop to standard safety design.
The visit continued as scheduled.
