President Donald Trump had a rough moment at the United Nations on Tuesday.
Both the escalator and his teleprompter stopped working while he was giving a speech. Trump complained, “These are the two things I got from the United Nations — a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter.”
The White House quickly responded. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X, “If someone at the U.N. intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately.”
If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately.
The Times reported this on Sunday.👇 pic.twitter.com/NitsWbGYG0
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) September 23, 2025
Leavitt suggested that U.N. staffers might have joked about messing with the equipment. Later, reports said the problem could have been caused by Trump’s own videographer or equipment.
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Democratic Governors Tim Walz and Gavin Newsom saw a chance to mock the situation.
“Not only do they need to be fired, they need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Walz wrote. “It is a miracle the President ever made it up the stairs.”
Not only do they need to be fired, they need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It’s a miracle the President ever made it up the stairs. https://t.co/wqJE9FAYyC
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 24, 2025
Well, that wasn’t very kind, but honestly, it’s hard not to chuckle.
Newsom joined in using all caps like Trump. “DOZY DON WAS DEFEATED BY THE ESCALATOR POOR GUY!” he wrote. “THE ENTIRE WORLD IS LAUGHING AT THE LOW IQ ‘PRESIDENT.’ NEXT STOP THE BEST ROOM AT MEMORY MEADOWS RETIREMENT RESORT. TYLENOL INCLUDED. ENJOY YOUR STAY DON — GCN.”
DOZY DON WAS DEFEATED BY THE ESCALATOR, POOR GUY! THE ENTIRE WORLD IS LAUGHING AT THE LOW IQ “PRESIDENT.” NEXT STOP: THE BEST ROOM AT MEMORY MEADOWS RETIREMENT RESORT. TYLENOL INCLUDED. ENJOY YOUR STAY, DON! — GCN
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 24, 2025
Newsom also referenced Trump’s recent unproven claim linking Tylenol to autism. He suggested the president might be showing signs of cognitive decline.
On Fox News, host Jesse Watters asked Leavitt if the incident was sabotage. She said, “Well Jesse, that is definitely what it appears to be from me. If we find that these were UN staffers who were purposely trying to trip up, literally trip up, the President and the First Lady of the United States, there better be accountability for these people, and I will personally see to it.”
Watters: it does appear to be sabotage with the escalator and the teleprompter..
Leavitt: It appears that way to me… if we find these were UN staffers who were purposely trying to literally trip up the president and the first lady, there better be accountability for those… pic.twitter.com/bAClOElkQf
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 24, 2025
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
