Trump accuses UN of funding an assault on Western borders in UN General Assembly address

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump used his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to issue a sweeping critique of the United Nations and to frame immigration as the defining crisis facing Western nations, arguing that uncontrolled border flows are “ruining” countries and that the UN is effectively financing an assault on Western borders.

In a wide-ranging speech to world leaders, Trump alleged that the UN is funding migrants in need and accused the organization of failing to protect member states from what he described as invasions. He asserted that the UN’s supposed role should be to shield countries, not to create or finance mass movements of people, and he framed immigration as the top issue of the era. “The United Nations is funding an assault on Western countries and their borders,” he said, pointing to cash support the organization had provided to migrants in need and arguing that the UN has not lived up to its potential.

Trump told Western allies that their countries were being altered by what he characterized as uncontrolled immigration, urging decisive action. He told audiences that Europe, in particular, faced serious trouble, claiming that it had been “invaded by a force of illegal aliens like no-one has ever seen before” and accusing leaders of being too politically correct to address the situation. He cited London as an example, criticizing what he described as a “terrible mayor” and, in a remark that drew sharp attention, suggesting that some communities were moving toward Sharia law in ways that were incompatible with Western norms.

“Your countries are being ruined by uncontrolled immigration,” Trump told the assembly, insisting that the problem was unsustainable and that political correctness had prevented policy changes. He highlighted his own administration’s immigration policies as a model of strict control, arguing that a crackdown had yielded tangible results at home and should be mirrored abroad.

Trump also pressed Western governments to halt energy purchases from Russia, arguing that continued imports of Russian oil and gas undercut allied efforts in other areas. He criticized European nations for maintaining energy ties with Moscow and warned that any delay in cutting off such purchases would undermine the coalition against broader security threats. “They have to immediately cease all energy purchases from Russia. Otherwise, we're all wasting a lot of time,” he said, noting that many European countries had reduced but not halted imports since the February 2022 invasion.

Despite his sharp rhetoric about immigration and the UN, Trump acknowledged the ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine, stating that he would not impose draconian sanctions on Moscow until allies fully cut their energy ties. He framed the issue as a test of Western unity, urging allies to align on a more aggressive posture toward Russia while defending the need for coordinated economic measures.

In a broader critique of the UN, Trump asked, “What is the purpose of the United Nations?” He asserted that the body has the potential to be a force for good but said it is not living up to that potential. He claimed credit for brokering a number of peace deals—between Armenia and Azerbaijan; Cambodia and Thailand; Israel and Iran; India and Pakistan; Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; Egypt and Ethiopia; and Serbia and Kosovo—and argued that, despite those efforts, the UN did not offer to assist in finalizing any of the deals he had helped arrange.

The address also touched on themes of governance and the influence of globalists, with Trump portraying himself as someone who renegotiated or ended conflicts and who believes national sovereignty should take precedence over international mandates. He describedhis actions as counterweights to a system he characterized as failing Western nations, arguing that Western countries must prioritise their own security and economic vitality.

Trump’s remarks at the UN come as his broader foreign policy posture remains central to his 2024-2025 political narrative, distinguishing his approach from that of many European partners. His criticisms of the UN and his emphasis on border control and energy independence frame a broader appeal to voters who favor hard-line security and sovereignty-focused policy. Critics, however, view the speech as a partisan critique that amplifies mistrust of multilateral institutions without presenting concrete, implementable policy proposals on a global scale.

The UN General Assembly gathering remains a focal point for the U.S. president’s overseas outreach, and Trump’s comments are likely to sharpen debates about migration, international institutions, and energy strategy among Western allies. As nations grapple with migration pressures, security concerns, and energy security, policymakers will be watching closely for any shifts in alignment or new proposals that might emerge from the broader international conversation surrounding these issues.