Donald Trump gave his first address to the United Nations on Tuesday. By his standards, it was fairly tame.
Trump, speaking in the usually sombre setting of a UN General Assembly session, launched into a verbal tirade, berating North Korea for its “reckless” pursuit of nuclear weapons.
North Korea’s reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles threatens the entire world with unthinkable loss of human life. It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a regime, but would arm, supply and financially support a country that imperils the world with nuclear conflict. No nation on Earth has an interest in seeing this band of criminals arm itself with nuclear weapons and missiles. The United States has great strength and patience. But if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime; the United States is ready, willing and able, but hopefully this will not be necessary.
I spoke with President Moon of South Korea last night. Asked him how Rocket Man is doing. Long gas lines forming in North Korea. Too bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2017
The🇺🇸has great strength & patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy #NoKo. pic.twitter.com/P4vAanXvgm
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2017
Trump’s first UN speech met with criticism from some leaders
In his speech, he called Iran “a corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of a democracy” whose “chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos”.
Bolivian President Evo Morales – an ally of the Venezuelan government – tweeted: “I am not surprised that a multi-millionaire like Trump attacks socialism. Our struggle will always be ideological and pragmatic.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, also speaking to the General Assembly, defended the nuclear deal with Iran. “Renouncing it would be a grave error,” he said.
But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Mr Trump during his speech, saying the deal with Iran should be amended or scrapped altogether, and warned against the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East.