President Trump gives speech at the United Nations

President Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly today and laid a staunchly nationalist platform.

Here’s how it went down:

President Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at the United Nations.

The meeting comes days after the world leaders gathered in Houston on Sunday for an event dubbed “Howdy, Modi!” 

At the rally, Trump credited the Indian-American community with “helping to strengthen our country and build our future,” citing its contributions to medicine, business and technology.

The President also praised Modi’s leadership and touted the “stronger than ever before” relationship with India. He said India “has never had a better friend as President than President Donald Trump.”

An employee of the Venezuelan embassy tweeted a photo of herself reading a book during President Trump’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly earlier today.

The employee, Daniela Rodríguez, also shared a photo of the book she was reading.

What Trump said about Venezuela today: Trump took a shot at Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in his speech, calling him a “dictator” and a “Cuban puppet.”

“The dictator Maduro is a Cuban puppet, protected by Cuban bodyguards, hiding from his own people while Cuba plunders Venezuela’s oil wealth to sustain its own corrupt, Communist rule,” Trump said.

President Trump, asked about reporting that he put a hold on millions in military aid to Ukraine a week before the phone call to the nation’s president, said he withheld the aid because other countries were not also spending.

Trump said that the payment was eventually made.

The President made similar comments earlier today as he arrived at the United Nations.

“We’re putting up the bulk of the money. And I’m asking why is that?” Trump said earlier today. “Why is it only the United States putting up the money? And by the way, we paid that money. ”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated his position that he did not agree with the ruling of the UK Supreme Court, which found that his decision to prorogue — or suspend — Parliament for five weeks was unlawful. However, he said that he respected that will of the courts. 

Asked about the ruling at a bilateral meeting with President Trump at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Johnson said this:

President Trump, speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, appeared to joke that Johnson is having an “easy time.”

“It’s great to be with my friend, Boris Johnson. He just got a position that he’s having a very easy time with — It’s much easier than he thought,” Trump said.

For context, earlier today, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that Johnson suspended the nation’s Parliament unlawfully. The landmark decision was unanimous, and it was a major blow for the prime minister.

Trump continued to praise Johnson: “He’s doing a fantastic job. Not easy, but doing a really good job.”

President Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson are meeting at the United Nations General Assembly right now.

Earlier today, in a speech to the UN, Trump said he has worked closely with Johnson on a new trade deal for after the UK move forward with Brexit.

“I have made clear that we stand ready to complete an exceptional, new trade agreement with the UK, that will bring tremendous benefits to both of our countries,” Trump said.

The backdrop to this meeting: Today, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that Johnson suspended the nation’s Parliament unlawfully.

The landmark decision was unanimous, and it was a major blow for the prime minister. After the ruling, the Brexit party chairman said the UK would not leave the EU on October 31 as planned.

President Trump chastised a “permanent political class” that is “overly disdainful” during remarks at the United Nations on Tuesday, claiming they — along with the media, economic institutions and technology companies — were pushing ” flat-out assaults on our histories, traditions and values.”

The populist message came as Trump’s administration has questioned social media companies for what it claims are anti-conservative biases. Trump said he was working to ensure all voices are heard.

“A small number of social media platforms are acquiring immense power, over what we can see and over what we are allowed to say,” he said.

President Trump spelled out a staunchly nationalist platform as he opened his third address to the United Nations, relaying a skeptical view of globalism at the world’s foremost multilateral body. 

“The free world must embrace its national foundations. It must not attempt to erase them or replace them,” Trump said as he began his address. “Looking around, and all over this large, magnificent planet, the truth is plain to see: if you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation.”

It was a view reflective of Trump’s long-held stance that places a greater weight on national identity than on trans-border ties. He said “wise leaders put the good of their own people and their own country first.”

“The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots,” Trump said. “The future belongs to sovereign and independent nations, who protect their citizens, respect their neighbors and honor the differences that make each country special and unique.”

President Trump took a moment to defend women’s right and LGBTQ rights during his speech at the United Nations.

The President said the US is working with other nations to stop criminalizing homosexuality.

“We stand in solidarity with LGBTQ people who live in countries that punish, jail or execute individuals based upon sexual orientation,” Trump said.

He also said the US is “championing the role of women in our societies.”

“Nations have empower women are much wealthier, safer and much more politically stable,” he said. “It’s therefore vital, not only to a nation’s prosperity, but also is vital to its national security to pursue women’s economic development. 

Trump took a shot at Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in his speech, calling him a “dictator” and a “Cuban puppet.”

Trump said, “The dictator Maduro is a Cuban puppet, protected by Cuban bodyguards, hiding from his own people while Cuba plunders Venezuela’s oil wealth to sustain its own corrupt, Communist rule.”

President Trump warned Iran he would tighten sanctions if the country continues provocative behavior in the Middle East.

Speaking at the United Nations, Trump said “all nations have a duty to act” in combatting Iran’s influence. Citing an attack on Saudi oil facilities that he pinned on Iran, Trump noted new sanctions on the country’s central bank.

“No responsible government should subsidize Iran’s bloodlust,” Trump said during his speech to the General Assembly. “As long as Iran’s menacing behavior continues, sanctions will not be lifted. They will be tightened.”

Trump said, “Iran’s leaders will have turned a proud nation into another cautionary tale of what happens when a ruling class abandons its people and embarks upon a crusade for personal power and riches.”

President Trump condemned open border policies as “cruel and evil” and said that all nations have the “absolute right” to protect their borders.

Speaking about immigration while addressing the United Nations, Trump said undermining border security is “undermining human rights and dignity.”

“Each of you has the absolute right to protect your borders. And so, of course, does our country,” he told other world leaders at the UN.

Then, Trump spoke directly to “anyone crossing the border illegally”:

Trump called on North Korea to end its pursuit of a nuclear weapon during his speech at the UN moments ago.

Here’s what he said:

President Trump called Iran’s regime one of the “greatest security threats facing peace-loving nations” and urged nations not to “subsidize Iran’s bloodlust.”

“The regime’s record of death and destruction is well-known to us all,” Trump said while addressing the UN. “The regime is squandering the nation’s wealth and future in a fanatical quest for nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them.”

He added: “No nation should subsidize Iran’s bloodlust.”

Trump specifically mentioned the Saudi oil attacks, saying that the US “imposed the highest level of sanctions on Iran’s central bank and sovereign wealth fund” in response to them.

“As long as Iran’s menacing behavior continues, sanctions will not be lifted, they will be tightened,” Trump said.

Trump took shots at China during his UN address today, accusing the nation of breaking promises to the international community to “adopt promised reforms.”

Here’s what he said:

President Trump, speaking at the United Nations, said he has worked closely with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on a new trade deal for after the UK move forward with Brexit.

Trump called the deal he and Johnson have been working on “magnificent.”

Some context: Earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson suspended UK Parliament unlawfully. The landmark decision was unanimous, and it was a major blow for the prime minister, who is currently in New York for the UNGA.

President Trump said the “future belongs to patriots” — not globalists.

Trump urged the “free world” to “embrace its national foundations.” 

“It must not attempt to erase them or replace them,” Trump said. “The truth is plain to see: If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation.”

Trump began his address at the UN by calling the US the “world’s most powerful nation,” highlighting the “over $2.5 trillion” that has been spent on the military since he took office.

“The United States, after having spent over $2.5 trillion since my election, to completely rebuild our great military, is also, by far, the world’s most powerful nation,” Trump said. “Hopefully it will never have to use this power.”

President Trump just took the lectern at the United Nations General Assembly. You can watch this live above.

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro addressed the UN General Assembly this morning, insisting: “The Amazon is not being devastated, nor is it being consumed by fire as the media misleadingly says.”

More context: In August, CNN reported Brazil has 85% more fires burning than this time last year. The state of Rondonia has 6,436 fires burning so far this year in it, according to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE). NASA said the state has become one of the most deforested states in the Amazon.

President Trump has arrived at the United Nations, where he’s expected to speak this morning.

He spoke to reporters and took questions about his reported attempt to convince Ukraine’s leader to investigate a political rival during a summer phone call.

He called the prospect that he could be impeached over the scandal “ridiculous” and “a witch hunt.”

He also said he assumes the transcript of his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will eventually be released.

“When you see the call, when you see the readout of the call — which I assume you’ll see at some point — you’ll understand,” Trump said as he defended his conversation. “That call was perfect. It couldn’t have been nicer.”

The UN Secretary-General just finished his opening remarks to the United Nations General Assembly. Now, leaders from around the globe will have time to address the UN.

This is the order we’re expecting to see the speakers today. Note that it could change throughout the day.

President Trump boasted that his administration had “accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.”

Many of the assembled world leaders and foreign dignitaries responded with laughter.

“I didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s OK,” he said, laughing off the chuckles that rippled through the hall.

Trump later claimed that world leaders were “laughing with” him, not at him.

During the address, the President defended his hardline position on Iran and his trade war with China, touted his diplomatic engagement with North Korea and reaffirmed his rejection of globalism and the prominence of international institutions.

President Trump told reporters yesterday that he would be talking about Iran and the economy.

The President declined to say whether he would ramp up pressure on Iran during his speech tomorrow.

Why this matters: Trump has announced that he applied new sanctions on two pillars of the Iranian economy, the country’s central bank and its sovereign wealth fund, days after an attack on a Saudi oil facility that the US has blamed on Tehran.

Iran has denied responsibility. Yemen-based Houthi rebels, locked in an ongoing war for control of the country with Saudi Arabia and its allies, have said they are behind the attack.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif told reporters yesterday that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will not meet with Trump. Rouhani is scheduled to deliver a speech before the UN on Wednesday.

President Trump will deliver his address to the United Nations General Assembly this morning, when he’s expected to focus on national sovereignty and individual nations’ responsibility for self-defense.

What happened last year: At the start of his 2018 address, Trump generated laughter among the delegates when he bragged about what his administration has accomplished. Later, he put on a brave face, saying the General Assembly was “laughing with me.”

But the moment resonated because of what it illustrated about Trump’s global standing.

Still, with two UNGAs under his belt, Trump is entering this year’s gathering more confident in a posture that largely ignores the agenda set out by other leaders and the United Nations itself.

This year, Trump’s counterparts have singled out climate change as a chief area of focus.