ANALYSIS — President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered a combative address in his return to the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting growing rifts between the United States and some of its closest allies and again putting the Western world order to the test.
The American diplomat in chief’s pointed remarks came at a time when his administration’s approach to key global issues — particularly the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine—have faced criticism from congressional Democrats and tepid pushback from European leaders also determined to remain on Trump’s good side.
White House officials on Monday had signaled that the speech would focus on what Trump has dubbed the “decay” of “globalist” institutions, a contention he has repeatedly used to justify his administration’s go-it-alone actions and moves to slash U.S. global aid. Big parts of his U.N. speech were also rooted in Trump’s “America First” philosophy, as he called on member nations to “reject the failed approaches of the past.”
