Overview

• Video from journalists shows the escalator at UN headquarters stopping abruptly as President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania ascended, after which they continued up the steps.
• The UN said a safety mechanism at the top of the escalator was activated and indicated a White House videographer filming with his back to the equipment likely triggered it.
• Officials described the stop as the safety system working as designed and not a mechanical breakdown.
• During his General Assembly address, Trump cited the halted escalator and said the teleprompter had issues.
• The UN later clarified that the White House team was operating the teleprompter used during Trump’s speech.