Daijiworld Media Network - New York
New York, Sep 23: In a speech that combined grievance, bravado, and criticism, US President Donald Trump delivered a sharp rebuke of the United Nations during his address at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, taking aim at the global body over wars, immigration, climate change, and funding imbalances.
Trump opened his more-than-hour-long address with a dramatic claim: “In just under seven months, I've ended seven 'unendable' wars,” adding, “It’s bad that I had to do these things instead of the United Nations doing them.” The remark underscored his long-standing skepticism of multilateralism and global governance.
The start of the speech was marred by technical glitches — a non-functional teleprompter and an elevator malfunction that briefly trapped him and First Lady Melania Trump. Trump referenced the hiccups during his speech, turning the episode into a complaint rather than a moment of levity.
Once into his stride, the President unleashed a scathing critique of the UN system, accusing it of inefficiency, political bias, and hostility toward US allies, particularly Israel. He cited the UN’s failure to act on global conflicts, mishandling of humanitarian crises, and what he described as “chronic anti-Americanism” as justification for his administration’s systematic rollback from several UN bodies and funding commitments.
Among the key exits and funding cuts during his presidency:
• UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA): The US reaffirmed its withdrawal in early 2025, cutting $20 million and $364 million annually, respectively.
• UNESCO: The US announced its departure in July 2025, effective December 2026, over allegations of anti-Israel bias, withdrawing around $80 million annually.
• World Health Organization (WHO): The US completed its 2020 withdrawal due to what Trump called WHO’s “mishandling” of the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2025 Presidential order claimed the US was being asked to pay disproportionately, while China, with a much larger population, contributed 90% less, resulting in a funding cut of nearly $130 million.
Trump’s administration also ceased all payments to the UN system starting January 2025, despite having contributed $13 billion in 2023, most of which were voluntary.
The cumulative effect of these withdrawals has left the UN grappling with a projected $500 million shortfall by 2026, potentially triggering 20% job cuts across peacekeeping, health, and humanitarian agencies.
Trump’s February 2025 Presidential order described certain UN bodies as having “drifted from their missions”, and accused them of promoting anti-Semitism and acting “contrary to US interests.” Specifically named were UNHRC, UNESCO, and UNRWA.
However, the US’s shifting engagement with the UN is not new. Historically, both Democratic and Republican administrations have withdrawn from and rejoined various UN bodies based on foreign policy shifts and domestic political priorities. Common reasons include accusations of political bias, inefficiency, or disproportionate financial burdens on the US.
As Trump closed his combative address, it became clear his administration’s vision of global engagement remains rooted in nationalism, bilateralism, and a deep mistrust of global institutions — especially those unwilling to conform to Washington’s terms.