World leaders laugh as Trump claims his administration has accomplished more than any other in US history

John Moore/Getty Images

World leaders laughed at President Donald Trump during his remarks at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

• President Donald Trump's speech at the United Nations General Assembly got off to a bit of an unusual start when world leaders and diplomats laughed as he claimed his administration has accomplished more than any other in US history.
• Responding to the laughs, Trump said, "Didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK."
• Trump has had a troubled relationship with the UN since entering the White House.
• He has characterized the institution at times as unnecessary and ineffectual.

President Donald Trump's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, or UNGA, in New York featured a moment when world leaders and diplomats laughed as he claimed his administration has accomplished more than any other in US history.

"In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country," Trump said, prompting laughter. 

Responding to the laughs, Trump said, "Didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK."

Trump often criticized former President Barack Obama's approach to foreign affairs and claimed the world was "laughing" at the US under Obama's leadership. 

In 2014, 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!"

But Trump's bombastic foreign policy has faced significant criticism at home and abroad, and polls have shown a majority of Americans feel the US has lost respect around the globe under his leadership. Trump's unilateral approach to foreign affairs has marked a stark contrast from his predecessor.

Correspondingly, Trump has had a troubled relationship with the UN, an institution he's at times characterized as unnecessary and ineffectual. Trump has drawn ire from the UN over his attacks on the press and decisions such as withdrawing from the landmark Paris climate accord, among other issues.

Trump used his speech on Tuesday to tout his administration's accomplishments, decry US adversaries such as Iran, and touch on issues over which he's long expressed concern, such as global trade and mass migration.