On September 23, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering a speech that quickly reverberated across the globe. Never one to mince words, Trump used the international forum to launch a barrage of attacks on Europe, the United Nations, and London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, igniting fresh controversy and reigniting old feuds.
According to UNTV, Trump’s address was marked by provocative claims and sharp criticisms. He asserted that London was on a path to “go to sharia law,” a statement that immediately drew attention for its sweeping generalization and its potential to stoke tensions. Trump’s rhetoric didn’t stop there—he painted a dire picture of Europe’s future, declaring that the continent was being “invaded” by what he described as “illegal aliens.” These remarks echoed the hardline immigration positions that defined much of his presidency and continue to animate his political brand.
But perhaps the most pointed barbs were reserved for the United Nations itself. Trump accused the organization of “funding an assault on western countries and their borders,” suggesting that its efforts to assist asylum seekers were undermining national sovereignty and security. “Your countries are going to hell,” he said, as quoted by ABS-CBN, in a scathing critique that left little doubt about his views on the current trajectory of Europe and the broader international community.
Trump’s speech was also notable for its personal attacks. He renewed his long-standing feud with London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, calling him a “terrible, terrible mayor.” The animosity between the two men is well documented—Trump has previously criticized Khan on social media and in public statements, often using the mayor as a symbol of what he sees as the failures of liberal urban governance. Tuesday’s remarks, however, took the feud to the world stage, ensuring that it would be part of the international conversation once again.
Observers were quick to dissect the implications of Trump’s words. His claim that London wants to “go to sharia law” was seen by many as an inflammatory exaggeration, one that plays into long-standing fears and stereotypes about Muslim communities in Western cities. Critics argued that such statements risk fueling division and misunderstanding, particularly at a time when multiculturalism and integration are hotly debated topics across Europe.
Meanwhile, Trump’s assertion that Europe is being “invaded” by “illegal aliens” struck a familiar chord. Throughout his political career, Trump has repeatedly used the language of invasion to describe migration, both in the United States and abroad. At the UN, he framed the issue as an existential threat to Western civilization, blaming international institutions like the United Nations for exacerbating the crisis rather than helping to solve it.
“The organisation is funding an assault on western countries and their borders,” Trump declared, according to UNTV. This accusation was aimed squarely at the UN’s humanitarian programs, which provide assistance to asylum seekers and refugees fleeing conflict, persecution, and poverty. Trump’s critique reflects a broader skepticism among some political leaders—particularly on the right—about the role of international organizations in shaping national policies on immigration and border security.
For Trump’s supporters, the speech was a reaffirmation of his commitment to national sovereignty and border control. They argue that his willingness to speak bluntly about uncomfortable topics sets him apart from other world leaders, many of whom they see as too deferential to globalist institutions. “He’s telling it like it is,” one supporter remarked outside the UN building, echoing the sentiment that Trump’s plainspoken style is both refreshing and necessary in an era of diplomatic double-speak.
Yet for others, the address was deeply troubling. Human rights advocates and international observers warned that Trump’s rhetoric could further erode trust in the United Nations and undermine efforts to build consensus on global challenges like migration, conflict, and humanitarian aid. “When a former U.S. president uses the world’s largest diplomatic stage to attack the very institutions designed to promote peace and cooperation, it sends a dangerous signal,” said one European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The reaction in London was swift. Allies of Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned Trump’s comments as baseless and inflammatory. “London is one of the most diverse, vibrant cities in the world,” said a spokesperson for Khan’s office. “These kinds of remarks do nothing but sow division and fear.” The mayor himself has not yet responded publicly, but those close to him suggested that he would continue to champion the values of inclusion and tolerance that have defined his tenure.
In Europe, Trump’s warnings about an “invasion” of “illegal aliens” reignited debates about migration policy, integration, and the role of international organizations in managing population flows. Some political leaders seized on Trump’s language to bolster their own calls for stricter border controls, while others pushed back, emphasizing the importance of upholding humanitarian principles and international law.
At the United Nations, officials defended their work, pointing out that assistance to asylum seekers is rooted in the organization’s founding principles and international agreements. “Our mission is to protect the vulnerable and uphold human rights,” said one senior UN official. “We are committed to working with all member states to address the challenges of migration and displacement in a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility.”
As the dust settles from Trump’s latest appearance at the United Nations, the impact of his words remains to be seen. For now, his speech has reignited old debates and sharpened divisions, both within countries and between them. Whether it leads to meaningful policy changes or simply adds fuel to existing controversies, one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s voice continues to command attention on the world stage, for better or worse.
The United Nations General Assembly, designed as a forum for diplomacy and dialogue, once again became a battleground for competing visions of the world’s future. With Trump’s remarks echoing in the halls of power, leaders and citizens alike are left to grapple with the questions he raised—and the challenges that remain.