[Watch] Escalator Sabotage At The UN? Videographer Blamed As Trump, Melania Stumble Into Viral Glitch

New York: A bizarre incident at the United Nations General Assembly became the centre of attention on Tuesday when the escalator carrying US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump suddenly stopped mid-ascent, leaving the couple momentarily stranded before the President’s keynote address. The abrupt halt, caught on camera, showed Melania walking forward unsteadily before climbing the frozen steps, with Trump close behind, and immediately sparked a storm of conspiracy theories, jokes and suspicions of sabotage.

Trump himself alluded to the mishap in his speech, remarking, “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that, on the way up, stopped right in the middle,” before quipping that whoever managed the teleprompter, which also cut out briefly during his address, was “in big trouble.” His comments added fuel to speculation that the glitches were deliberate.

The UN, however, offered a technical explanation. Officials said a built-in safety mechanism had been triggered when a “comb step” near the top of the escalator detected an obstruction. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric explained that a videographer from Trump’s own team, walking backwards to capture footage, likely activated the safety system by stepping too close to the moving parts. Once alerted, technicians quickly reset the escalator and restored its movement. On the teleprompter issue, Dujarric clarified that the UN had no role, stating the White House operated its own device and that UN systems were working properly.

Despite the UN’s clarification, the White House reacted sharply. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt demanded that UN staff “be fired and investigated immediately” if there had been any deliberate interference. Reports also surfaced of past UN staff jokes about disabling escalators or elevators to inconvenience Trump, fuelling suspicions that the incident might not have been accidental. According to U.S. media reports, the Secret Service is now reviewing whether deliberate sabotage occurred.

The episode quickly went viral online, with “#escalatorgate” trending on social media as users debated whether it was a harmless malfunction, symbolic protest, or political theatre. Security analysts questioned the Secret Service’s response time, while others pointed out that mechanical failures are not uncommon in UN buildings, which face chronic budgetary strains.