Trump spoke at the UN earlier today and his words will be heard worldwide. He stood up for American values and called out corruption worldwide.
US president Donald Trump is making his debut speech to the general assembly, saying it is a “profound honor†to represent the American people from his home city.
He expresses thanks to all the world leaders who have offered help and condolences in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Thankfully, he says, the US is doing well.
The economy is at an “all-time highâ€. He says the country is experiencing job growth like it has not seen “in a very long timeâ€.
“Our military will soon be the strongest it has ever been,†he says.
Trump highlights breakthroughs in technology and medicine. Then says every day is filled with new threats.
“Rogue regimes†support terrorists and threaten other countries.
“Authority and authoritarian powers seek to collapse†systems and alliances that “tiled the war toward freedom†after the second world war, he says.
“We meet at a time of both immense promise and great peril,†he says.
Saying it’s up to “us†whether the world “is lifted to new heights†or “a valley of disrepairâ€.
Trump talks about citizens needing to be able to achieve their dreams and for children to be able to live in a world without hate.
“The success of the United Nations depends on the independent strength of its members,†he says.
He acknowledges that all countries have different goals, but the “beautiful vision†that led to the creation of the UN allows people to work side-by-side. Trump has criticized the UN repeatedly in the past.
Trump: I will always put America first
Trump speaks about protecting the rights given by God, emphasizing the word “God†and pausing before he continues.
“In America, we do not seek to impose our life on anyone,†he says but the US wants to shine as an example.
He says he was elected to give power to the people “where it belongsâ€.
“As president of the United States†he will always put America first, he says. He gets louder, saying that’s what all countries should do. He gets some claps for that remark.
‘We want harmony and friendship, not conflict and strife’
Trump says the United States will no longer be taken advantage of in deals it makes with other countries.
“Our citizens have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom,†he says. They have also fought to defend other countries represented in the room, he says.
“It is an eternal credit to the American character,†that we have fought wars abroad but have not “sought territorial expansion†and not imposed our way of life on other people.
“We want harmony and friendship, not conflict and strife,†he says.
He says the member states must work together to confront “rogue regimesâ€.
“If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph,†he says
14 minutes into the speech, Trump mentions North Korea, speaking about the death of American student Otto Warmbier after being detained by the North Korean government.Â
He says the “entire world†is threatened by the nuclear threat in North Korea.
“We have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea,†Trump says.
“Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for him and his regime,†says Trump, referring to Kim Jong-Un. He continues to say he hopes we don’t have to destroy North Korea.
He has moved on to Iran, saying the nuclear deal is “an embarrassment to the United Statesâ€.
Trump has been speaking for more than 20 minutes.
Trump’s speaks loudly again as he discusses the threat of international terrorism.
He says the US is working with its allies in the Middle East to “crush†terrorists.
“Our country has achieved more against Isis in the last eight months,†says Trump, then it has in the years before combined. It’s unclear what measure he is using for achievement.
He thanks Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon for hosting refugees.
“The United States is a compassionate nation,†he says, before launching into a defense of his government’s efforts to reduce the refugee cap in the US
Trump briefly winds down his speech to speak about the need to empower “women entrepreneurs,†earning applause, before becoming angry again to talk about the US contributions to the UN.
He says the US carries an “unfair burden†with the resources it provides to the UN.
Trump then attacks Cuba and the government of Venezuela. He says people need to do more to address the situation there.
He begins the 34th minute of his speech with a critique of communism
Trump speaks about the US middle class, saying they will be “forgotten no moreâ€.
He heralds the importance of patriotism, again emphasizing that countries can only resolve global conflict if they protect themselves and their interests first.
“Now we are calling for a great reawakening of nations,†he says.
“We need to defeat the enemies of humanity and unlock the potential of life itself,†he says.
Trump thanks the audience and concludes, after about 41 minutes and 20 seconds, by saying: “God bless you, god bless the nations of the world, and god bless the United states of Americaâ€.
Trump finishes speech after 41 minutes
Trump speaks about the US middle class, saying they will be “forgotten no moreâ€.
He heralds the importance of patriotism, again emphasizing that countries can only resolve global conflict if they protect themselves and their interests first.
“Now we are calling for a great reawakening of nations,†he says.
“We need to defeat the enemies of humanity and unlock the potential of life itself,†he says.
Trump thanks the audience and concludes, after about 41 minutes and 20 seconds, by saying: “God bless you, God bless the nations of the world, and God bless the United states of Americaâ€.
My reaction:
Trump delivers Amazing UN speech! Puts #AmericaFirst https://t.co/yHVMPLZgsU
— Jacob Palmieri (@jakepalmieri) September 19, 2017
