Trump claims he meant to make world leaders laugh during UN speech when he claimed his administration was most successful in US history

Advertisement
Trump claims he meant to make world leaders laugh during UN speech when he claimed his administration was most successful in US history

Advertisement
Donald Trump UNGA

John Moore/Getty Images

World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly laughed at President Donald Trump on Tuesday when he claimed his administration had accomplished more than any other in US history.

  • President Donald Trump claimed he meant to make world leaders laugh during his address to the United Nations.
  • World leaders and diplomats laughed when Trump boasted his administration had accomplished more than any other in US history. 
  • At the time, Trump seemed surprised by the reaction, but later claimed "that was meant to get some laughter."
  • "Oh, it was great. Well that was meant to get some laughter, but it was great," Trump said of the moment, which went viral on social media. 

President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed he meant to make world leaders laugh during his address to the United Nations earlier in the day, though he initially said he "didn't expect that reaction."

During first minutes of his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump boasted his administration had accomplished more than any other in US history, prompting laughter from world leaders and diplomats in attendance. 

"I didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK," Trump said during the speech, in a moment that quickly went viral on social media. 

Hours later, when asked by reporters about the laughter, Trump said, "it was great.

Advertisement

"Well, that was meant to get some laughter, but it was great," he said.

When former President Barack Obama was still in the White House, Trump was often critical of his approach to foreign affairs and routinely claimed the world was laughing at the US because of Obama's leadership. 

In 2014, for example, Trump tweeted, "We need a President who isn't a laughing stock to the entire World. We need a truly great leader, a genius at strategy and winning. Respect!"

Trump's approach to foreign affairs has faced widespread criticism at home and abroad, while also placing him at odds with his top advisers at times. The president remains positive about his accomplishments in the global arena, however, and on Tuesday he painted his speech as a success.

"I think really well, it's gotten very good reviews certainly and I think it went very well," Trump said of his address while speaking with reporters. 

Advertisement
{{}}