Claim: Escalator, teleprompter, and audio issues at the UN were the result of deliberate sabotage
Veracity: FALSE
Reality: Logs of the escalator's computer system showed that at the time the escalator stopped, a safety mechanism had been triggered on the comb step at the top of the escalator. Footage revealed that the safety mechanism was triggered by the videographer traveling with the US delegation. As the teleprompter was operated by White House staff, any issues were the result of their handling. There were no audio issues during the speech; UN earpieces are designed to allow listeners to hear speeches alongside the translation.
Liars:- Donald Trump: "First, the escalator going up to the Main Speaking Floor came to a screeching halt. This was absolutely sabotage" (2025-09-24)
- https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2025-09-23/note-correspondents-un-escalators
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn76kyxp6epo
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/who-stopped-un-escalator-likely-trumps-videographer-says-un-2025-09-24/
- https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5553272/trump-escalator-united-nations-investigation