Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
A spokesperson has called the remarks “unacceptable”.
A spokesperson has called the remarks “unacceptable”.
What is happening?
The United Nations said it was shocked after a Fox News host suggested bombing the world body.
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric spoke to reporters on Friday. He called the remarks “unacceptable” and said the language was neither funny nor ironic.
What was said on air
According to Reuters, Jesse Watters, during a Tuesday broadcast, reacted to U.S.-President Trump’s trouble with an escalator and a teleprompter.
He said: “What we need to do is either leave the U.N. or we need to bomb it.”
He added, “Maybe gas it … we need to destroy it.”
United Nations response
Dujarric reminded reporters of painful history: the U.N. has been attacked in multiple cities.
He referenced losses in Baghdad and damage to buildings in Algiers and Abuja.
He also said the U.N. had shared preliminary findings of what actually happened during the assemply with the United States.
Private apology reported
According to Dujarric, Jesse Watters privately apologized to U.N. global communications chief Melissa Fleming.
That followed contact from the United Nations to Fox News about the broadcast remarks.
Fox News’ silence
Fox News did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
But what actually happened at the U.N. prompting Watters comments?
The escalator and the teleprompter
The United Nations said an escalator abruptly stopped after President Trump and first lady Melania Trump stepped on it, likely because a White House videographer accidentally triggered a safety mechanism.
Trump also experienced issues with the teleprompter, and a U.N. official said it was being operated by the White House.
World leaders at the General Assembly
Nearly 150 heads of state and government delivered addresses to the 193-member General Assembly this week.
The gatherings were held under traditionally tight security.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
