"Going to hell"

Trump takes Austria’s course to task at the UN

The Republican was convinced in New York that Europe had been destroyed by illegal migration.(Bild: AFP/TIMOTHY A. CLARY)

This year's United Nations General Debate will once again be dominated by global political crises such as the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump's speech was particularly eagerly awaited - especially as the Republican is keen to make it clear that the organization is not an important issue for him.

When Trump majestically stepped up to the lectern, he couldn't help but make a joke. Because, as he discovered, the teleprompter was not working. "Whoever is responsible for the teleprompter has a big problem," he grumbled with a twinkle in his eye.

"What is the purpose of the United Nations?" Trump then asked in a more serious tone. According to him, all the organization does is write "strongly worded letters" and speak in "empty words." "On many levels, this is how the UN works: that a lot of money is wasted and nothing comes out. This world will be a much happier place, but for that we have to avoid the mistakes of the past." The biggest threat to the world is nuclear weapons. Iran must never have nuclear weapons, Trump warned.

Reading from a piece of paper, he mostly looked down and not at the audience: "We are the 'hottest country' in the world." Even though, in his view, he had taken over the States in a bad state.

All I got from the United Nations was an escalator on the way up, stopping in the middle of the track.

US-Präsident Donald Trump

Bild: AFP/TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Still hoping for Nobel Peace Prize
The US President remained convinced that he had ended seven wars or conflicts. These included the conflict between Israel and Iran as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan. At least he pronounced the latter country correctly this time. He had done as a "side job" what was actually the UN's task, he said arrogantly: "Unfortunately, in all cases, the UN did not even try to help any of them."

On arrival at the General Assembly, the escalator stupidly got stuck - just after the US President had set foot on it (see also post below). "All I got from the United Nations was an escalator on the way up that stopped in the middle of the track," he vented his anger during the speech. The United Nations, he said, "was not there for us." And the teleprompter was also broken.

Putin threatened with "extremely high tariffs"
The boastful US president had to concede defeat in his mediation efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. Due to his good relations with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, he had actually assumed that he would be able to end the bloodshed quickly. However, war is unpredictable and was actually intended to be a short battle. That makes Moscow look very bad. "If Russia is not prepared to end this war, we are prepared to impose extremely high tariffs", Trump threatened. But the European countries are also a thorn in his side because of their oil and gas purchases: "They are also paying for the war that is being waged against them. Where is there such a thing?"

The US President still sees himself as an "angel of peace".(Bild: AP/Evan Vucci)

Warnings to Western Europe about foreign infiltration
During the speech, Trump also took aim at Austria's migration policy, where, according to him, 53% of prison inmates come from abroad. According to the website of the Austrian judicial authorities, as of September 1, 2025, 4,757 of 10,013 "inmates" were actually Austrian citizens, accounting for 47.51 percent. 52.49 percent came from other EU countries or non-EU countries. The citizenship of just under two percent was unknown. However, these almost 53 percent are not - as Trump insinuates - only "illegal migrants".

If the detention centers were populated by so many foreigners, the country would "go to hell", Trump complained. Europe had been destroyed by illegal migrants. Countries had a right to stand up for their sovereignty and control their borders. 

Uncontrolled migration is currently the most important issue of all. The UN is not doing anything about it either, but is even financing illegal migration. In contrast, he himself had ensured that illegal immigration to the USA was close to zero.

The Republican criticized European politics for doing nothing against the permanent influx of migrants due to "political correctness".(Bild: AFP/MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO)

"Climate change is the biggest fraud"
 The US President also finds Europe's approach to the environment incomprehensible. Climate change is "the biggest scam". In his second term of office, he is thus sticking to his previous stance, which runs counter to scientific findings.

"If you don't distance yourself from this green energy scam, your country will fail," he added. In Europe, he said, we must immediately take control of the "fake energy catastrophe" before it is too late. The American described the carbon footprint as a "lie" invented by people with bad intentions.

Meinl-Reisinger misses "concrete proposals" on global political issues
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger commented on the US President's speech as follows, according to her office: "It is a pity that the majority of Donald Trump's long speech was devoted to US domestic issues. He addressed the necessary control of weapons of mass destruction and the prevention of irregular migration as crucial issues for the global community - but without any concrete proposals."

However, these issues are also important for Austria. "Of course we are offering cooperation here. The fact that Donald Trump wants to reach out to the UN, as he said, is good," emphasized the NEOS politician. However, it is true that the UN is currently not living up to its potential. "Too many states are trampling on the principles of the United Nations. Right now, cooperation at eye level and diplomacy are more important than ever."