Waltz vows funding freeze at U.N., calls teleprompter/escalator mishaps 'unacceptable'
Senate Republicans narrowly confirmed Mike Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, filling the last Cabinet vacancy after months of delay, and he has signaled an agenda of U.N. reforms, including rooting out antisemitism and pushing a tougher U.S. posture on telecommunications, aviation and space. Waltz said the United States has withheld its 2025 U.N. contribution and vowed to freeze further funding until "sweeping reforms" are implemented after three technical mishaps during President Trump’s U.N. speech — an escalator malfunction, a teleprompter failure and a brief audio switch — which he called "unacceptable" and said are being investigated by the Secret Service with the U.N. secretary‑general cooperating.
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Waltz calls UN mishaps during Trump speech ‘unacceptable,’ vows funding freeze until reforms
New information:
- Ambassador Mike Waltz publicly vowed to withhold U.S. taxpayer funding to the U.N. until 'sweeping reforms' are implemented.
- Waltz confirmed the United States 'has withheld this year'—an explicit confirmation the U.S. contribution has not been paid for 2025.
- Waltz described three separate mishaps during President Trump’s U.N. speech (escalator malfunction, teleprompter failure, audio briefly switching to Portuguese) and called them 'unacceptable' and potentially serious.
- He said the incidents are under investigation by the Secret Service and that the U.N. Secretary‑General pledged cooperation.
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: UN Ambassador Waltz takes on the haters
New information:
- Waltz intends to 'root out antisemitism' at the U.N. and to 'eliminate "woke" programs' there.
- Waltz is reported to push for a more aggressive U.S. posture in telecommunications, aviation and space at the U.N.
- Attributed phrasing reported: 'Make the U.N. great again.'
Trump's final Cabinet pick, Mike Waltz, confirmed by Senate in narrow vote
New information:
- Final vote reported as 47–45, with Democrats John Fetterman, Jeanne Shaheen and Mark Kelly voting yes and Republican Rand Paul voting no.
- Confirmation completes Trump’s Cabinet and ends a near nine‑month gap without a U.S. representative at the U.N.
- Background on Waltz’s dismissal from the National Security Council after the 'Signalgate' incident involving a group chat with senior officials about Yemen strikes.
- Trump previously pulled Rep. Elise Stefanik from consideration to avoid shrinking the GOP’s narrow House majority for his 'big, beautiful bill.'
- Waltz’s hearing stance: advocated U.N. reforms, saying the body has drifted from its peacemaking mission.
Senate confirms Mike Waltz as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations after months of delays
New information:
- The Senate did not vote on a separate measure to formally designate Waltz as a U.S. representative to the U.N. General Assembly due to Democratic objections, leaving his participation in next week’s UNGA unclear.
- Waltz’s nomination faced a recent procedural setback that sent it back to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which re-approved it on Wednesday.
- A State Department spokesperson said they worked closely with the White House to advance nominees quickly, while a Democratic aide said the administration showed 'no urgency' to get Waltz confirmed before UNGA.
- His confirmation fills the last vacancy in President Trump’s Cabinet after eight months of delays and a previous nominee’s withdrawal.
Senate confirms Mike Waltz as Trump's U.N. ambassador
New information:
- Vote: 47–43 Senate confirmation on Sept. 19, 2025
- Post had been vacant for eight months; last Cabinet member confirmed
- Shaheen supported the nomination and secured release of $75 million in authorized lifesaving assistance; Rand Paul was the lone GOP committee “no”