Last Updated on September 25, 2025 by Grayson Elwood
It was a dramatic day at the United Nations in New York City this week, and not just because of politics. Former President Donald Trump delivered one of the longest speeches in UN history, touching on global conflicts and U.S. priorities, but an unexpected incident involving his wife, Melania, stole the spotlight.
Just before his speech, the Trumps stepped onto an escalator inside the UN building. Without warning, the escalator jolted to a stop, causing a brief moment of confusion and concern. While security and staff scrambled to figure out what went wrong, Donald Trump did what he often does best—he turned the mishap into a story. And in doing so, he gave the world a rare glimpse into Melania Trump’s health and fitness regimen.
A Day of Malfunctions at the United Nations
The annual United Nations General Assembly is one of the most high-profile gatherings in the world. Leaders and diplomats from nearly every country come together in New York City to discuss everything from wars and peace treaties to climate change and international cooperation.
This year, Donald Trump returned to the UN stage with a speech that stretched to nearly an hour—reportedly the longest ever delivered by a U.S. president at the General Assembly. He spoke about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and America’s role on the world stage.
But it wasn’t just the content of his speech that drew attention. Early on, Trump’s teleprompter malfunctioned. Without missing a beat, he joked about it to the assembly:
“I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working.”
He even quipped that the person responsible for the teleprompters was “in big trouble,” drawing chuckles from an otherwise serious audience.
As it turned out, the faulty teleprompter wasn’t the only technical problem that day.
The Escalator Incident
Before stepping onto the stage, Donald and Melania Trump entered the UN building together and began riding an escalator. Suddenly, the machine came to a grinding halt.
Witnesses say the pair turned to look behind them, puzzled by the abrupt stop. Security quickly intervened, but the brief scare was enough to raise eyebrows—not least because Melania was positioned ahead of her husband when it happened.
The White House later expressed displeasure over the malfunction, even calling for an investigation into whether it was deliberate. Officials suggested the incident could have been meant to embarrass the former president. The United Nations, however, explained that the stop was caused by a safety mechanism that had been inadvertently triggered.
Trump’s Surprising Health Update on Melania
Speaking later in front of the General Assembly, Donald Trump mentioned the escalator mishap and, in the process, offered a surprising comment about his wife’s health.
“All I got from the UN was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle,” Trump said. Then, with his characteristic flair, he added: “If the First Lady wasn’t in great shape, she would’ve fallen.”
It was a rare public acknowledgment of Melania Trump’s physical fitness, something she usually keeps private. The comment sparked fresh interest in how the former First Lady maintains her health and strength at age 55.
Melania Trump’s Fitness Regimen
Melania Trump has long been admired for her grace, style, and poise. But behind her polished public image lies a commitment to health and fitness that few people fully realize.
Though she largely stays out of the spotlight these days, reports indicate that Melania follows a disciplined diet and exercise routine. She has spoken in the past about her love for Pilates and tennis—both of which she uses to stay strong and flexible.
