Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a bold and provocative address during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he declared that his administration had successfully brought an end to what he described as “seven unendable wars” within a span of seven months. Speaking with characteristic confidence, Trump portrayed his actions as decisive steps that not only curtailed military conflicts but also addressed longstanding trade wars, though he expressed frustration that the UN itself contributed little to achieving these results. In his words, the organization was better known for issuing strongly worded letters that lacked the power to end real wars, noting pointedly that “empty words don’t solve war.”

Touching on specific conflicts, Trump highlighted Iran as a key focus of his administration. Referring to the Middle Eastern nation as the “world’s number one sponsor of terror,” he claimed its enrichment program had been completely dismantled under his leadership and cited the end of a 12-day war as evidence of progress. He went further to discuss Ukraine, suggesting he initially believed that conflict would be the easiest to resolve due to his personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yet, he lamented that the war has dragged on for years, claiming it continues to take a staggering toll with thousands of young lives lost weekly. He criticized NATO allies for hypocrisy, accusing them of undermining their own fight against Russia by continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas. His proposed remedy was the imposition of strict tariffs, which he argued would swiftly pressure Moscow into ending hostilities, though he emphasized that European nations must also commit to this approach.

Trump also turned his attention to the Middle East, calling for urgent measures in Gaza, particularly the release of hostages. He cautioned against unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, describing it as an undeserved “reward to Hamas” after what he labeled as heinous atrocities. He used the occasion to once again challenge the efficiency and priorities of the UN itself, recalling how he once offered to oversee the reconstruction of its headquarters for $500 million. Instead, he said the organization wasted billions on an inferior project that, according to him, did not even include the marble finishes he had proposed.

Migration and border security were other major themes of his speech. Trump accused the UN of encouraging illegal migration, citing figures that in 2024 alone, the body had allegedly spent $372 million to support more than 600,000 migrants attempting to cross into the United States. He insisted that the UN’s mission should be to prevent invasions rather than promote them.

Climate policy was not spared from Trump’s critique. He dismissed renewable energy efforts, branding wind turbines as “pathetic” and describing the concept of carbon footprints as a “hoax.” According to him, green energy initiatives amounted to little more than a “scam” that would eventually cripple nations economically. To underscore his argument, he pointed to Germany’s energy struggles and the impact of open immigration as examples of how European countries were, in his view, being weakened. He also singled out China, asserting that the country now emits more carbon dioxide than all other developed nations combined.

Throughout the speech, Trump positioned himself as a leader who took practical steps where international bodies, especially the UN, failed to act effectively. While some suggested he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his actions, he downplayed the idea, saying that the real reward was in saving millions of lives. His address, filled with criticism of global institutions, skepticism of climate science, and hardline prescriptions for conflict resolution, reinforced his familiar message of prioritizing American strength while challenging the legitimacy and effectiveness of multilateral organizations.