Key facts
- US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
- Trump has recently posted on social media about a planned triumphal arch in Washington DC and a bid to rebrand artificial intelligence.
- In 2022, Trump told UN attendees their countries were "going to hell" and criticized open borders.
- In 2018, Trump claimed his administration had "accomplished almost more than any other administration in the history of our country."
- In 2017, Trump attacked allies, including Germany, for their energy policies.
- Trump plans to establish an "AI force" headed by an "AI Czar."
As world leaders convene for the annual United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump is preparing to deliver his address on Tuesday. His recent social media activity has sparked speculation about the tone and content of his speech, with past addresses to the assembly characterized by controversial remarks and a focus on his administration's achievements.
In previous UN appearances, Trump has made notable statements, including declaring in 2022 that other countries were "going to hell" and criticizing the concept of open borders. In 2018, he drew laughter from fellow leaders by claiming his administration had accomplished more than any other in history in less than two years. The year prior, he singled out allies like Germany for their energy policies, stating the US "can no longer be taken advantage of."
Trump's recent social media posts have hinted at an unpredictable approach. One post suggested turning his controversial planned arch in Washington DC into a military storage facility, a move he claimed was requested by the US military without providing evidence. Another post, featuring an image of Trump gazing at a world map, ominously hinted at an imperious tone. He also posted about his plans for an "AI force" to be headed by an "AI Czar," describing AI as the "next Industrial Revolution" and potentially "as much as 25% of our country’s GDP."
His address comes as the US faces an unpopular war with Iran, which Trump predicted would end quickly but has shown no signs of concluding. The conflict has impacted global energy prices and stoked inflation, potentially affecting his party's prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. Polls indicate a majority of Americans oppose the war, further impacting his approval ratings. The presence of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN adds another layer of political complexity, though a meeting between the two leaders is considered unlikely.