U.S. President Donald Trump opened his fiery address to the United Nations General Assembly with a stark warning to world leaders, declaring that their countries were “going to hell” if they failed to curb migration and abandon what he called suicidal climate policies. His combative remarks set the tone for a 56 minute speech that sharply criticised allies, rejected multilateral consensus and pressed for tougher global action on borders, energy and Russia.
Trump made immigration and climate the core of his speech, framing them as existential threats to Western nations. He portrayed his own immigration crackdown in the United States as a model for others to follow, insisting that uncontrolled migration undermines national identity and weakens social fabric. Human rights advocates counter that migrants are often fleeing hardship and deserve protection, but Trump dismissed these arguments, telling delegates that their governments were losing control.
On climate change, Trump was equally forceful. He dismissed decades of scientific consensus, labelling climate change a con, and urged a return to expanded fossil fuel use. “Immigration and their suicidal energy ideas will be the death of Western Europe,” he said, drawing murmurs in the hall. His language stood in sharp contrast to calls from other leaders at the Assembly who emphasised the urgency of cutting emissions.
Much of the address was directed at America’s allies. Trump chastised European governments for continuing to buy Russian oil, saying they were effectively funding the war in Ukraine. He pledged that the United States was ready to impose a strong round of tariffs on Moscow if it refused to negotiate a settlement, but warned the measures would only succeed if Europe joined Washington in adopting the same steps.
Later, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump reinforced his commitment to Kyiv’s cause, even answering “yes” when asked if NATO allies should shoot down Russian aircraft entering their airspace. The remark highlighted the unpredictable nature of Trump’s foreign policy messaging, mixing hardline rhetoric with pledges of partnership.
On the Middle East, Trump rejected calls for international recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such a move would reward Hamas after its latest attacks. He reiterated his demand for a ceasefire tied to the release of hostages held in Gaza, alive or dead. He also held talks with Gulf leaders on the region’s future, presenting himself as a peacemaker while complaining that the United Nations had not supported his past diplomatic efforts.
The speech included several controversial and inaccurate statements, such as a claim that London’s mayor wanted to impose religious law and an assertion that inflation in the United States had been defeated. Both comments were quickly flagged by fact checkers, with economists noting that inflation had risen only days earlier.
Trump’s delivery also mixed grievance with humour. He told delegates that his teleprompter malfunctioned at the start of the speech and joked about being stranded with First Lady Melania on a faulty escalator at the U.N. building, saying those were the two gifts he had received from the organisation.
Reactions in the chamber were muted. Leaders offered polite applause at the conclusion, but diplomats privately expressed concern that Trump’s confrontational style and rejection of cooperative climate and migration frameworks would deepen global divides. Analysts noted that while Trump’s address was aimed partly at an international audience, it was also crafted for domestic supporters who embrace his hardline views.
For allies, the speech poses difficult choices. If the United States pursues coordinated tariffs or stricter asylum rules, success will depend on persuading European and Asian partners to align with policies that many consider economically risky and contrary to humanitarian principles. The coming weeks of diplomatic engagement at the United Nations will reveal how much backing Trump can actually gather for his agenda.
