Find the entire speech by Donald Trump delivered on September 22, 2026 at the United Nations.
It is an honor to welcome you to the United States as we celebrate 250 years of glorious independence and freedom. 250 years later, the cause of freedom has found a home, and I am happy to tell you with pride that America is back. Our country is stronger today than ever before. Our economy is the envy of the entire world. Our army is the most powerful in the world. Our technology is second to none. Our energy flows freely throughout the planet. Our country is developing. Our power spreads. Our country is doing better than ever. And our future is absolutely bright.
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Since I returned to business, we have created more than a million private sector jobs and there are more Americans working today than ever before. Last week it was announced that the poverty rate had reached its lowest level in American history. 1.5 million Americans have been lifted out of poverty thanks to us. Last year alone was a new record. Poverty rates among African Americans and Hispanic Americans are at record lows. Household incomes are at the highest level. It’s a record in history: $80,000 on average and we broke the record from my first mandate.
Two years ago our country was dead, but now we have the sexiest country in the entire world.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
From day one, my Administration began working to tear down all unnecessary administrative obstacles to economic life in America. We have passed the largest tax cuts in history, and more countries are investing in our country than ever before, in any country in the world.
The stock market has broken 80 records in the last twelve months alone. We have secured commitments for $31 trillion in new investments from across the planet compared to less than $1 trillion in investments over four years of the previous government. Two years ago our country was dead, but now we have the sexiest country in the entire world.
We have invested more money in the military in the last twelve months than in all of history: $1.5 trillion.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Before we came to power, we had the most dangerous borders, today they are the safest in the world. No one comes in anymore unless they are invited or authorized. Over the past sixteen months, zero illegal immigrants have returned to the United States. Zero. Last year we saw the largest drop in violent crime. It's a record. That's a record high in 125 years, since 1900. I've deployed personnel to Memphis, Tennessee, Louisiana, and it could go even lower. In January, January 20 of last year, when I arrived in Washington, the city of Washington, it was a crime-ridden city. But crime has fallen by 87%. But our goal is 100. I think many of you have been there. Tourism is thriving and everyone is proud of our capital. This is unheard of. We have invested more money in the military in the last twelve months than in all of history: $1.5 trillion. We have emerged from a dark chapter in American history and are now experiencing a golden age.
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The whole world is dazzled by the state of mind, by the dynamism, by the strength of a revitalized country. And we acted very quickly to resolve problems that we inherited, but we also acted to resolve problems on the international stage that had affected us for far too long. All the leaders represented here, and I know you all very well, the leaders know that we had very little time for the world to become safer, more prosperous for our children. And as president of the most extraordinary country in human history, I do not want dangers and risks to proliferate another day. I want to resolve issues as quickly as possible, because otherwise, those issues become more difficult to resolve. And while some spoke, I acted. While some were talking about peace, I made peace. When others ignored the threats, I faced them. While others spoke of courage, America demonstrated it. While others promised strength, I made America the most powerful country in the world.
Iran's objective was to obtain a nuclear bomb, beyond this conventional ballistic shield. And if that had been the case, they could have spread death and terror for eternity.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
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I have worked with many of the countries in this room. We have resolved intractable challenges for decades and we are resolving outstanding issues. And we do it well. And above all there is the number one supporter of terrorism: the Islamic Republic of Iran. For 51 years, the fanatical Iranian regime ruled in a bloodbath. He has sown carnage and death in the Middle East and beyond. It used to terrorize the Middle East, but that is no longer the case. From day one, I have said that I will never allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. I immediately opened negotiations with Iran and made them economic offers in exchange for the cessation of the nuclear program. But Iran refused outright. It was a big mistake. And then there was Operation Midnight Hammer. The US Army eliminated the nuclear program under mountains of debris. I made suggestions again. The regime refused again. It continued to build up its missile and drone arsenals that threatened the security of all U.S. forces in the region and everyone else in the region. They thought they could strike Europe. They were very proud of it. I hope that Europe is aware of this. Iran's objective was to obtain a nuclear bomb, beyond this conventional ballistic shield. And if they had, they could have spread death and terror for eternity, knowing that any attempt to stop them would be met with a nuclear apocalypse.
We have just commemorated the 25th anniversary of America's worst terrorist attack, the September 11 attacks, which killed more than 3,000 people. And in two weeks, we commemorate the third anniversary of the October 7 attack in Israel, where Iranian-funded terrorists killed, maimed, and kidnapped 1,200 innocent civilians, including Americans and many babies. Babies, tiny, innocent babies. Iran celebrated the massacre and explained that it was a service to humanity.
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This same regime has massacred 72,000 of its citizens this year, and recently, ten thousand people were killed while protesting. Imagine if this vile regime could carry out large-scale terrorist attacks hidden behind a nuclear shield. This is the reality we faced. But too many ignored this. Many presidents have done this. All of these people were reluctant to do anything, but everyone knew the problem. Iran has been given every chance to reach a deal, but nothing has been done so that the United States or other countries can avoid facing such a catastrophic problem.
I think we will find an agreement (with Iran, Editor’s note). Right after the election, because they have no interest in it not happening.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
As a result of Operation Epic Fury, more than 159 Iranian Navy ships are at the bottom of the sea today, their radars destroyed, their anti-aircraft capabilities destroyed, their drone and missile manufacturing capabilities virtually eliminated. Their economy is destroyed. The only thing that has not disappeared is the inflation which is destroying their country and which today exceeds 300%. And even after a ceasefire was agreed for talks, Iran threatened terrorism against civilian ships. And I thank the UN Security Council, which voted by a large majority for a resolution that condemns terrorist attacks against civilian ships carried out by Iran. Thank you. This resolution received more support from member states than any other UN resolution in history. So that's something. And now we must stay united and keep up the pressure. The US Navy escorted more than a billion barrels through the Strait of Hormuz recently. The oil is flowing freely. This is unheard of since the start of the war. We are at 22, 25, 32, 35, 37 boats. So every day we escort boats every night as well.
But I have a big decision to make. When an agreement has been reached, let's let them build a country even bigger than before, one of the biggest countries in the Middle East, even in the world. So do I do this or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic? And quickly, so that they no longer have the possibility of killing, destroying, targeting countries to send them to hell without any chance of survival, without any hope for future generations. But I think we will find an agreement. Right after the election, because they have no interest in it not happening. They are waiting for the midterm elections. But what they are not aware of is that I am not a candidate. I did it and we won with a huge tidal wave. I've been here for two and a half years. The Republican Party is running, but I'm not running. And so I won't take the elections into account when it comes to Iran, it doesn't even cross my mind.
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The fact is that Iran will never have nuclear weapons. Cowards and traitors would like to say that the United States is running out of ammunition, but that is not true. We have more ammunition than we could imagine using, and we are manufacturing ammunition at an unprecedented rate. And very good quality ammunition. New manufacturing plants will open. There are 18 being manufactured by the world's top defense companies. 18 manufacturing plants will be completed very quickly. They almost are. And this will allow us to very quickly deploy missiles, munitions of all types and we will be able to equip our allies much more quickly than today. And I call on all countries to join us and completely isolate Iran economically, until they stop their attacks on commercial shipping, abandon their nuclear ambitions and stop supporting terrorism.
If we are united, the world will soon be free of this threat that has existed for 51 years.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
This terrorist regime is behaving badly, not because it is strong and confident, but because it is weak and desperate. And if we are united, the world will soon be free of this threat that has existed for 51 years. This Iranian terrorism and oil prices will collapse and be even lower than at the start of the conflict. And in the United States, I can tell you that they were very low. With courage and determination, anything is possible. These changes can happen and quickly. A year ago, when I spoke to world leaders, the war in Gaza was still raging. The hostages were still in the Hamas tunnels. There was no end in sight. But here, on the sidelines of the general assembly, we have taken the first steps to change everything. A few weeks later, we stopped the war in Gaza. We have saved countless lives. We brought back all the remaining hostages, alive or not. Each of the hostages.
Everyone thought it was a miracle. And people celebrated all this in the streets. I thank the Security Council for unanimously endorsing our 20-point Gaza peace plan and for endorsing the Peace Council. Nearly 30 countries have joined the Peace Council that I have the honor of chairing, and I thank the many friendly countries who have provided billions and billions of dollars. Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and many other countries. This money goes exactly where it is needed. And there are many needs. There are a large number of countries that are also involved, because these countries want things to be done well. These are great countries. I also thank the countries that contributed police contingents that contributed to the stabilization of Gaza, including Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Jordan and many others.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, a wonderful man, said that Donald Trump saved 30 million lives, and probably many more.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Since I took office, I have had the honor of stopping this war and it has been an honor to do so, to work with the leaders of many of these countries. Many wars had been going on for years, decades and I was able to resolve the situation using my connections, very special connections, using trade with tariffs or threats of tariffs. There were also other reasons depending on the country. And in particular the conditions of the regulations: Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia. Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and of course the war in Gaza with, as I said, the return of all living or deceased hostages.
Almost all of these countries wrote me a thank you letter. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, a wonderful man, said that Donald Trump saved 30 million lives, and probably many more. The President of Azerbaijan said that President Trump, in six months, had
