The United Nations reported that a videographer from the U.S. delegation may have unintentionally activated a safety feature that caused an escalator to stop abruptly as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were boarding. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, explained that the videographer stepped onto the escalator ahead of the couple while filming their arrival. As the videographer, who was facing backward, reached the top, the First Lady and President Trump approached from below. The escalator halted shortly after, at 9:50 a.m.

Dujarric stated, "Our technician, who was at the location, reset the escalator as soon as the delegation had climbed up to the second floor. A subsequent investigation, including a readout of the machine’s central processing unit, indicated that the escalator had stopped after a built-in safety mechanism on the comb step was triggered at the top of the escalator." This safety feature is designed to prevent accidents by stopping the escalator if something is detected that could cause entrapment. Dujarric concluded that the videographer may have inadvertently triggered this safety function.

During his speech at the UN General Assembly, Trump humorously addressed the escalator incident, saying he had to speak "from the heart" due to a malfunctioning teleprompter. He recounted the escalator mishap, stating, "All I got from the UN was an escalator that on the way up, stopped right in the middle. If the First Lady wasn’t in great shape, she would have fallen, but she’s in great shape. We’re both in good shape. We both stood. And then a teleprompter that didn’t work."

After the speech, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the escalator incident, saying, "If someone at the UN intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and First Lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately." She also mentioned that the U.S. Secret Service is looking into the matter.

Trump's speech lasted nearly an hour, despite the UN's 15-minute voluntary time limit for speakers. He discussed various topics, including his claims of ending wars, and criticized the UN for not taking action. He joked about the teleprompter issue, saying, "I don’t mind making the speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working. I feel very happy to be up here with you nevertheless — and that way you speak more from the heart. I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble."

Videos shared online captured the moment the couple approached the escalator, with Trump gesturing for Melania to go first. After the escalator stopped, Melania began walking up, followed by Trump. He later remarked, "And by the way, it’s working now," referring to the teleprompter as he continued his address.

Following the event, Trump is scheduled to participate in meetings in New York before returning to the White House later that evening.