Letters from an American September 23, 2025
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Sep 24, 2025 The podcast opens with the UN General Assembly's 80th anniversary and the stakes at hand. There’s a deep dive into Antonio Guterres' plea for unity and climate action. Trump’s anecdote about teleprompter troubles adds an amusing twist. His boastful claims of restoring global respect are met with skepticism. Critiques of the UN's effectiveness and Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric raise eyebrows. His rejection of renewables is seen as controversial, while reactions from diplomats and journalists emphasize the chaos surrounding his speech.
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UN's Founding Purpose Under Strain
- Antonio Guterres frames the UN as founded to choose cooperation, law, and peace over chaos and power politics.
- He warns today's crises demand renewed commitment to international law, human dignity, and climate justice.
Guterres' Memory Of Dictatorship
- Guterres recalls growing up under dictatorship in Portugal and learning to persevere and speak out.
- He asserts real power comes from people and shared resolve, not from those who dominate or divide.
Trump's UN Speech: Escalator And Boasts
- Heather Cox Richardson recounts Donald Trump's UN address as a rambling mix of boasts, grievances, and personal complaints.
- Trump mentioned a stopped escalator and a nonworking teleprompter while claiming credit for global peacemaking and U.S. strength.