Donald Trump and Wife Melania Suffer Unfortunate Incident During Latest Public Appearance
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump experienced an awkward mishap during their recent public appearance at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 23.
The incident occurred while Trump was in the city to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time since the beginning of his second term in January.
Escalator Breakdown with Melania
Before his speech, however, Trump and Melania found themselves in an uncomfortable situation when the escalator inside the UN building suddenly stopped while they were riding it.
A video captured Trump humorously sharing the experience with UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, saying: “The escalator just broke down… with us in the middle of it.”
Later, while addressing the press, he added: “All I got from the United Nations 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. These are two things I got from the United Nations, a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter. Thank you very much. And by the way, it’s working now.”
The lighthearted moment quickly spread across social media, with many joking about the “stalled escalator diplomacy.” Still, it highlighted the occasional unpredictability of public appearances, even at one of the most prestigious global venues.
Trump’s Health Comments Stir Controversy
The UN speech was not the only reason Trump made headlines this week. His controversial remarks about the common painkiller Tylenol also sparked widespread debate. Trump suggested that expectant mothers should avoid the drug during pregnancy, citing alleged “links” to autism. He went further, advising people to “tough it out” rather than rely on pain relief, except in cases of extremely high fever.
Medical experts and pharmaceutical companies swiftly pushed back. Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, released a statement emphasizing the safety of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol, also known as paracetamol in the UK).
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned about the health risks and confusion this poses for expecting mothers and parents,” the company said.
Kenvue added that acetaminophen is considered the safest pain relief option for pregnant women when used correctly and warned that discouraging its use could push mothers toward unsafe alternatives. The company further noted that acetaminophen is among the most widely studied pain relievers worldwide, with no credible evidence linking it to autism.
Trump’s UN Address
In his highly anticipated speech, Trump tackled several pressing global issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the war in Gaza, and the rise of artificial intelligence. He urged European nations to “step it up” by reducing dependence on Russian energy products and reiterated Washington’s support for Ukraine.
Turning to the Middle East, Trump sharply criticized Hamas, accusing the group of rejecting peace efforts and prolonging violence in the region. “They’ve taken so much, this could have been solved long ago,” he said. “But instead of giving in to Hamas’ ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: Release the hostages now.”
The former president also touched on climate change and technology regulation, two issues that continue to dominate international policy debates. His remarks drew both applause and scrutiny from world leaders in attendance.
Public Reactions
Reactions to both the escalator mishap and Trump’s medical claims were mixed. Supporters of the former president dismissed the escalator incident as trivial and appreciated his humor in handling the situation. Critics, however, pointed out that his remarks about Tylenol could cause unnecessary fear among pregnant women.
Medical professionals urged the public to rely on established scientific guidance and consult healthcare providers before taking any medication.
Conclusion
While Donald Trump’s UN speech addressed significant global challenges, much of the spotlight fell on two unexpected moments — a mechanical failure that briefly left him and Melania stranded, and his controversial health advice that drew strong backlash. The combination once again underscored the unpredictability of Trump’s public appearances, where moments of humor often mix with polarizing statements that keep him firmly at the center of global attention.