Donald and Melania Trump were stranded on a stalled escalator at the UN, then faced a teleprompter glitch during his global speech. See the viral moments.
A Day of Unexpected Glitches for the President and First Lady
On September 23, 2025, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in New York City for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). What was meant to be a polished diplomatic entrance quickly turned into a viral spectacle when the couple became stranded at the base of a stalled escalator.
Just hours later, the President faced another technical hiccup in front of world leaders: a malfunctioning teleprompter during his global address.
Golden Escalator Grinds to a Halt
The Trumps, flanked by their U.S. delegation, approached the golden-colored escalator at the UN headquarters. But instead of carrying them smoothly upward, the machine froze mid-motion — leaving the First Couple standing awkwardly as cameras flashed.
Melania, dressed in a cream suit, appeared unfazed. With steady poise, she began walking up the frozen escalator steps in heels, while Donald followed closely behind. Their expressions — Melania’s subtle side-eye and Trump’s stoic glance — were captured in widely shared photos across X (formerly Twitter).
What made the moment even more ironic was that the escalator beside them was working perfectly, carrying other attendees upward without issue.
UN Explains What Went Wrong
Speculation quickly spread online about whether the escalator broke down completely. Hours later, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, issued an official explanation.
According to Dujarric, the stoppage wasn’t a mechanical failure but rather a safety mechanism triggered when a videographer from the U.S. delegation attempted to film the Trumps’ entrance while walking backward on the moving steps.
“As the videographer reached the top, the escalator’s safety system engaged. The unit was reset immediately once the delegation reached the second floor,” the UN confirmed.
Trump’s UN Speech: Teleprompter Trouble
If the escalator incident wasn’t enough, President Trump’s keynote at the UN General Assembly brought another technical snag. As he began speaking, the teleprompter failed.
“I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working,” Trump announced, sparking laughter from diplomats and heads of state.
He added with a grin: “I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.”
Switching to a printed copy of his remarks, Trump continued his address, which covered topics including Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and global trade. Despite the glitch, the president drew attention for handling the moment with humor.
A Viral Day for the Trumps
Between the stalled golden escalator and the broken teleprompter, Trump’s UN appearance became one of the most talked-about moments of the assembly. Supporters praised his ability to improvise, while critics seized on the symbolism of back-to-back mishaps.
Still, the day’s agenda moved forward. Trump held private meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Argentine President Javier Milei, before hosting multilateral talks with Arab leaders on the Gaza conflict.
