Big Take Trump vs. the UN
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Sep 24, 2025 Guest Magdalena Del Valle, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in the U.N., delves into the critical funding challenges facing the organization. She highlights how the U.S.'s unpaid dues hinder the U.N.'s ability to function and impact global peace efforts. The discussion reveals the implications of geopolitical shifts towards multipolarity and the legitimacy crisis within the Security Council. Del Valle also tackles recent changes in U.N. policy, such as asylum protocols and growing recognition of Palestinian statehood, showcasing the complexities of international diplomacy.
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Escalator And Teleprompter Moment
- Magdalena Del Valle recounts Trump's awkward start at the General Assembly with a stopped escalator and a broken teleprompter.
- She quotes the president turning the mishaps into a punchline about the UN's effectiveness.
UN Faces Deep Cuts Affecting Aid Delivery
- Antonio Guterres warns UN faces massive cuts that will shrink operations and hurt civilians.
- He says peacekeepers and humanitarian programs will suffer, reducing food, vaccines and treatments delivered.
People, Not Bureaucracy, Bear The Cost
- Guterres explains the UN can continue but the people supported will suffer from reduced services.
- He warns peacekeeping reductions could remove the last resort protection for civilians in conflict zones.