President Donald Trump’s Soundly Scolds UN General Assembly:

President Donald Trump delivered a fiery, nearly hour-long address to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025, in New York City. Marking the first such speech of his second term, the remarks blended boasts about U.S. achievements with sharp rebukes of global institutions, allies, and policies. Delivered amid escalating tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict, Russian aggression in Ukraine, and debates on Palestinian statehood, Trump’s speech rejected multilateralism in favor of national sovereignty. He lambasted the UN as a bureaucratic failure, warned of Western Europe’s decline, and dismissed climate initiatives as a “scam” that harms workers without benefiting the planet.

Below are the top 12 takeaways, expanded with direct insights from the address, including his pointed attacks on the European Union, the futility of aggressive CO2 reduction efforts, and the dangers of unchecked migration.

1. Renewal of American Strength

Trump opened triumphantly, declaring the “renewal of American strength around the world” under his leadership. He touted economic booms, military rebuilds, and diplomatic wins, such as brokering peace deals in the Middle East and aiding in the resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere. “America is back—stronger, richer, and prouder than ever,” he stated, crediting his policies for restoring U.S. confidence on the global stage.

2. Criticism of Global Institutions

Echoing past addresses, Trump excoriated the UN for delivering “empty words and endless bureaucracy” instead of results. He mocked the organization’s facilities, griping about broken escalators and rejected renovation bids from his business days, using them as metaphors for systemic inefficiency. “This place is a disgrace—fix your own house before lecturing the world,” he quipped, urging a shift from rhetoric to action.

3. Attacks on the European Union

In a direct broadside against European allies, Trump warned that the EU’s policies are steering member nations toward collapse. “Your countries are going to hell—open borders, sky-high taxes, and green fantasies are killing Europe,” he declared, specifically targeting leaders in Germany, France, and the UK for what he called “self-destructive socialism.” He accused the EU of undermining transatlantic ties by pushing “unfair trade deals” that hurt American workers while enriching bureaucrats in Brussels. Trump contrasted this with U.S. prosperity, advising Europe to “adopt our model or face the consequences.” This segment drew murmurs from European delegates and immediate backlash from EU officials, who called it “divisive and outdated.”

4. Dismissal of Climate Change as a “Con Job”

Trump doubled down on his skepticism of climate science, labeling it the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on humanity.” He ridiculed aggressive CO2 emission targets, arguing they force developed nations to shutter factories and ship jobs overseas, only for global emissions to rise as production shifts to lax-regulation countries like China and India. “You shut down your steel mills and auto plants to cut a few tons of CO2—bravo! Meanwhile, China builds 10 new coal plants a week, and your emissions go up worldwide. It’s the height of absurdity—millions of jobs lost, families destroyed, all for nothing,” he thundered. Trump falsely claimed China avoids wind farms (despite its leading role in renewables), calling green energy a “scam” more expensive than fossil fuels. He prioritized U.S. energy independence, vowing no return to Paris Agreement-style pacts.

5. The Foolishness of Migration Policies

Trump unleashed a vehement critique of global migration trends, deeming open-border approaches “the death of Western civilization” and a foolish betrayal of citizens. He called for narrowing asylum rights, asserting that current systems are “abused by criminals, terrorists, and economic opportunists” who strain resources and erode security. “You invite the world in without a plan—crime surges, wages crash, schools overflow. It’s madness! Look at Europe: cities turned into no-go zones, cultures erased overnight,” he said, referencing unsubstantiated claims about London veering toward “Sharia law” under Mayor Sadiq Khan, which drew sharp condemnation as “appalling and bigoted.” Trump linked this to EU failures, warning that unchecked inflows exacerbate economic woes and fuel populism. He advocated strict vetting and deportations, positioning the U.S. as a model of “smart sovereignty.”

6. Efforts to End Conflicts

Amid calls for Palestinian statehood from other leaders, Trump lamented “endless wars” and highlighted his administration’s role in de-escalating crises. He backed Israel unequivocally, stating the Gaza war must end “immediately” but blamed Hamas, calling state recognition a “reward for terrorists.” Trump expressed frustration with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urged stronger sanctions, while praising his meetings with Zelenskiy.

7. Scolding on Infrastructure

Beyond broad UN critiques, Trump fixated on mundane gripes like malfunctioning teleprompters and outdated headquarters, joking he could “build it better and cheaper.” These anecdotes underscored his view of the organization as a “money pit” squandering member dues.

8. Warning to Member Nations

Trump cautioned dozens of countries against “disastrous leadership,” from Venezuela’s socialism to Africa’s corruption. “You’re heading for failure—adopt free markets, strong borders, and energy realism, or watch your people suffer,” he advised, positioning the U.S. as a blueprint for revival.

9. Emphasis on U.S. Sovereignty

Rejecting globalism outright, Trump insisted America engages internationally “on our terms only.” He withdrew from bodies like the UN Human Rights Council and Relief Works Agency, emphasizing sovereignty over supranational mandates.

10. Critique of International Aid

Trump slammed aid programs as “wasteful black holes,” where billions vanish into corruption without results. “We send your money, you mismanage it—time for accountability or no more checks,” he said, calling for U.S.-style oversight.

11. Support for Allies and Trade Reforms

While attacking Europe, Trump pledged aid to Ukraine, Argentina, and Israel, but tied it to reciprocity. He pushed for fairer trade, criticizing the EU and China for “ripping off” American farmers and manufacturers.

12. Optimism for Future Collaboration

Trump closed on a cautiously hopeful note: “Reform this broken body, and we can unite against real threats like terrorism and tyranny.” He urged “strong nations working together—not weak ones hiding behind bureaucracy.”

The speech, which ran over 50 minutes, elicited a mix of applause from allies like Israel and stony silence from others. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from August 2025 showed 55% of Americans approving Trump’s foreign policy, with 48% saying it bolsters U.S. standing—figures likely to shift post-address. Critics decried the rhetoric as isolationist, while supporters hailed it as a bold defense of realism. Trump followed with bilateral meetings, including with EU leaders, signaling tense but ongoing diplomacy.