In a recent explosive statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt raised serious concerns about the United Nations, insinuating that someone within its ranks attempted to sabotage President Trump. This came after a notable incident at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, during which the escalator that Trump and First Lady Melania were using unexpectedly stalled, causing Melania to nearly lose her balance.
Leavitt’s comments followed Trump’s address at the United Nations General Assembly, where he vehemently criticized the UN’s failure to foster peace and its tendency to support refugee settlements in Western nations. Amidst the media frenzy surrounding the day’s events, Leavitt took to X to assert her belief that the escalator malfunction was no mere coincidence.
“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,” Leavitt posted, referencing a report from the Times of London that described UN staffers joking about halting the escalators. In a follow-up interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, she maintained her stance, stating, “That’s definitely what it appears to be to me. There was some concerning reporting over the weekend from the London Times… that U.N. globalist staffers were basically plotting to set up the President of the United States.” She called for rigorous accountability, emphasizing, “If we find that these were U.N. staffers who were purposefully trying to trip up, literally trip up the President and the First Lady of the United States, well there better be accountability for those people.”
Adding to the uproar, the popular pro-Trump X account, known as Johnny MAGA, echoed Leavitt’s concerns. He pointed out the risks posed to Melania, who had to grasp the railing to avoid falling. “In all seriousness, if the stopped escalator was an act of sabotage, whoever is responsible must be severely punished,” he insisted. This sentiment amplifies the narrative of potential malice against the Trumps, suggesting that their safety was imperiled.
In stark contrast, the UN’s official response came from Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres. He dismissed the idea of foul play, stating that the escalator had stopped due to a built-in safety mechanism triggered by an issue with the machine. “Our technician, who was at the location, reset the escalator as soon as the delegation had climbed up to the second floor,” Dujarric clarified. He detailed the findings of a subsequent investigation, which he claimed showed no indications of sabotage but rather a malfunction intended to keep passengers safe.
The divide between the White House’s and the UN’s perspectives highlights a growing mistrust between the two entities. Leavitt’s bold accusations may resonate with those who share her suspicions of international organizations, while Dujarric’s technical explanations aim to alleviate fears of intentional wrongdoing.
This incident sheds light on broader themes of distrust and accountability in the realm of international relations. As conversations about transparency and integrity unfold, both sides are poised to defend their positions vigorously. The escalating dialogue could have longer-lasting implications for the relationship between the U.S. and international organizations, as perceptions of sabotage and conspiracy come to the foreground.
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