The White House is calling for an immediate investigation after a reported security breach at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday morning, where an escalator carrying President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump suddenly stopped while they were ascending. The incident, which took place in a heavily secured area of the UN building, has raised serious concerns within the Secret Service and the administration about potential intentional interference by UN personnel.
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, two escalators were operating to transport dignitaries to the next level of the UN building. As First Lady Melania stepped onto the left escalator, it continued moving. President Trump followed moments later, but the escalator abruptly stopped once he stepped on. The right escalator remained operational throughout the incident. The First Lady, followed by the President and their security detail, quickly adapted and walked up the halted escalator stairs.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement shortly after, demanding swift accountability if any intentional action was taken by United Nations staff to disrupt the President’s movement. “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,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt confirmed that the U.S. Secret Service is investigating the event. RealClearPolitics reporter Susan Crabtree cited sources within the Secret Service community who described the incident as highly concerning, especially given the recent July 13 attempt on President Trump’s life where he was grazed by a bullet. “President Trump was stalled and vulnerable,” one source reportedly said.
The growing alarm within security circles reflects fears that such breaches—whether acts of negligence or intentional sabotage—expose the President to undue risk, especially in high-profile international venues like the United Nations. The fact that only one of the two escalators stopped, and at the precise moment Trump stepped on, has fueled speculation that the incident was more than a mechanical glitch.
Leavitt emphasized that accountability is non-negotiable. “If we find that these were UN staffers who were purposefully trying to trip up President Trump and FLOTUS, well, there better be accountability for those people,” she stated.
The United Nations has not yet responded to requests for comment on the escalator stoppage or whether internal staff had access to override controls. The situation continues to develop as security officials assess whether the incident was an act of sabotage or a technical failure.
