Trump’s appearance before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday quickly moved from a traditional presidential address into a wide-ranging and combative speech touching on war, immigration, Iran, Venezuela, artificial intelligence and America’s role in the world.
Trump spent much of the address touting what he described as his administration’s accomplishments (read: ‘his’ successs) before turning his attention to Iran. He defended the U.S. decision to launch the war and warned that he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if a deal is not reached. He also suggested Iran may be willing to negotiate after the U.S. midterm elections.
The president also took aim at longtime targets, including the United Nations, globalists and climate-change policies. In an unexpected twist, he announced that he wants artificial intelligence to be officially called “super intelligence,” arguing that the word “artificial” makes the technology sound fake.
The speech also spilled beyond prepared international-policy themes. Before his address, Trump confronted CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at the UN and told her, “You shouldn’t be here,” continuing his escalating fight with major news organizations.
What was supposed to be a presidential message to the world instead became a familiar Trump-style mix of boasts, grievances, threats and sweeping claims—leaving the United Nations audience with plenty to digest long after the speech ended.