Jesse Watters proposes bombing the UN following Trump’s escalator and teleprompter incidents.
On September 24, 2025, during a segment on Fox News, host Jesse Watters made incendiary remarks suggesting extreme measures against the United Nations following President Donald Trump’s appearance at the General Assembly. While discussing technical malfunctions that occurred during the president’s address, Watters took a provocative stance, claiming that the events constituted a form of insurrection.
The controversy began when President Trump, alongside Melania Trump, encountered issues with a malfunctioning escalator as they arrived at the UN headquarters. According to reports, the escalator stopped unexpectedly, forcing the couple to ascend the stairs manually. This was compounded by teleprompter problems that interrupted Trump’s speech, leading him to express frustration in front of an audience of global leaders.
Watters attributed these incidents to intentional sabotage by United Nations staff, stating that they were “sabotaged.” He criticized the U.N. over these occurrences, referring to them as emblematic of dysfunction within the organization. His comments escalated quickly, suggesting not just discontent but extreme actions such as “bombing” the U.N. headquarters or “demolishing” the building entirely. He joked, albeit insensitively, about the potential consequences of such actions, which drew laughter from co-hosts during the broadcast.
In response to Watters’ claims, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the malfunctions were the result of actions taken by President Trump’s team. He detailed that a videographer inadvertently activated a safety mechanism on the escalator, causing it to stop. Dujarric also clarified that the operation of the teleprompter during presidential addresses falls under the discretion of the White House, indicating that the U.N. had no role in its management.
This incident has sparked discussions about the rhetoric used in political discourse and the potential ramifications of such statements made by media figures. The U.N. has long been a focal point of criticism from various sectors of the political spectrum, but remarks suggesting violence or destruction stand in stark contrast to the principles of diplomacy and international cooperation that the organization symbolizes.
As this story continues to evolve, it reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. relations with international institutions and the role of media personalities in shaping public opinion on these matters. The incident underscores a broader cultural debate about the limits of commentary in political journalism and the responsibilities that come with such influence.
