At UN, Trump to Take Aim at Global Bodies While Touting "America First"

President Donald Trump will address the United Nations General Assembly today, focusing on his second-term foreign policy achievements while condemning “globalist institutions” for undermining world order, the White House announced.

The speech, set against a backdrop of global tensions including wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, comes as Trump has moved swiftly to reduce U.S. engagement with the UN. Since his January 2025 inauguration, he issued an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organisation, ended participation in the UN Human Rights Council, and initiated a review of U.S. membership in numerous intergovernmental organisations to align with his “America First” agenda.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump will emphasise the “renewal of American strength” and efforts to resolve international conflicts while articulating a “straightforward and constructive vision” for global affairs. Following his address, Trump will hold one-on-one meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and leaders from Ukraine, Argentina, and the European Union, as well as a group discussion with officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Muslim-majority nations.

His remarks are expected to address contentious issues, including recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, which have sparked concerns about extrajudicial actions.

Trump’s speech coincides with heightened global challenges, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite campaign promises to swiftly end these conflicts, progress has been limited. Trump has advocated for a Gaza ceasefire tied to the release of 48 hostages held by Hamas, but his response to growing international support for Palestinian statehood—recently endorsed by France—has been critical, with Leavitt calling it “more talk and not enough action.”

In Ukraine, Trump’s efforts to broker talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have stalled amid intensified Russian attacks and calls from European allies for stronger sanctions.

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The address, one of the most anticipated at the UN’s 80th General Assembly, comes as Trump openly pursues a Nobel Peace Prize, claiming to have ended conflicts like those between Israel and Iran. Experts, however, question the extent of his impact. “The UN system is under unprecedented stress,” said Fordham University professor Anjali K. Dayal, noting global volatility.

Trump’s rhetoric and actions will likely shape perceptions of U.S. leadership as world leaders scrutinise his approach to multilateralism and ongoing global crises.

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