President Donald Trump used his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to deliver a warning to Iran, tout U.S. actions in Venezuela and Greenland and cast himself as a dealmaker capable of resolving some of the world’s biggest conflicts.
Trump’s speech in New York came against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and just weeks before the November midterm elections. He defended his administration’s use of American military power while arguing that his approach could ultimately produce agreements with U.S. adversaries.
“To the victor go the spoils,” Trump said while discussing Venezuela and an oil agreement reached after a U.S. military operation removed the country’s authoritarian leader earlier this year.
The speech was only part of a busy day for Trump at the U.N., where diplomacy involving Iran, a new security agreement involving Greenland and an escalating dispute with several news organizations also drew attention.
Here are five takeaways from Trump’s appearance at the U.N.
U.S. and Iranian officials hold talks
Despite Trump’s sharp warning to Tehran from the U.N. podium, U.S. and Iranian officials also held talks in New York on Tuesday.
Trump said U.S. officials met with the Iranian delegation for about three hours. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner participated on the American side. Axios reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi participated in the talks.
“I feel very good right now,” Witkoff told reporters when asked about the discussions.
Hours earlier, Trump had presented Iran with a stark choice during his U.N. address: reach an agreement over its nuclear program or face potentially devastating consequences.
“Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness for generations?” Trump said.
Trump also suggested Iran could be waiting until after the November midterm elections before deciding whether to reach an agreement with the United States. Reuters reported that Trump warned he could “annihilate” Iran if a peace agreement is not reached.
“I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence to the election when it comes to Iran,” Trump said.
White House media fight follows Trump to the U.N.
Trump’s dispute with CNN, MS NOW and Politico also followed him to New York.
The three news organizations sued the Trump administration Monday after being barred from the White House grounds. They argue that the restrictions violate First Amendment and due process protections. A federal court hearing over their request for a temporary restraining order is scheduled for Wednesday.
CNN had been scheduled to travel as part of the White House television pool. Other major television networks declined to replace CNN in the pool after the network was barred.
The White House restrictions did not prevent the organizations from covering Trump at the United Nations, where journalists could obtain credentials independently from the U.N.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins questioned Trump as he entered the U.N.
“You should not be here covering me. You said you weren’t going to be covering me,” Trump told Collins.
Trump also predicted that U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, whom Trump appointed to the federal bench during his first term, would likely rule against his administration.
“He’s not a particularly fair judge, so you never know,” Trump said.
U.S., Denmark and Greenland reach security agreement
Trump also signed a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that expands the U.S. military presence on the Arctic island.
The agreement calls for additional U.S. military facilities in Greenland as Washington seeks to strengthen its position in the Arctic and counter Russian and Chinese influence. AP reported that the agreement expands the American military presence following months of tension over Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland.
The agreement follows months of tensions between the United States, Denmark and Greenland after Trump repeatedly raised the possibility of acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory, including previously declining to rule out military force.
“You go back way back in the line of presidents, and almost every president at least mentioned it,” Trump said Tuesday. “But most of them just mentioned it. Some really wanted to make a deal and never got done. But we’re getting it done.”
Trump wants to call AI ‘super intelligence’
Trump also used his U.N. address to propose a new name for artificial intelligence.
The president said U.S. government documents would begin referring to AI as “super intelligence,” arguing that the word “artificial” makes the technology sound fake.
“It’s not fake. It’s actually amazing. But we have to be careful. In fact, it is exactly the opposite of what it purports,” Trump said.
“In other words, welcome to the new world of super intelligence — SI,” he continued. “Let’s see if that goes. It sounds much better. It is much better, and it’s much more accurate.”
The terminology could create some confusion. “Superintelligence” already has a more specific meaning in the AI field, generally referring to hypothetical artificial intelligence that surpasses human intelligence across a broad range of capabilities.
Trump otherwise spent relatively little time discussing international regulation of the rapidly developing technology. AP also reported on Trump’s proposed AI name change during his U.N. appearance.
Diesel prices add to pressure at home
Trump also addressed the possibility of restricting U.S. diesel exports as high fuel prices continue to create economic and political pressure at home.
“I’ve said let’s not send out the diesel,” Trump told reporters, suggesting a decision could come “fast.”
The issue has gained attention as disruptions tied to Middle East conflicts have put pressure on global energy markets. Republican lawmakers from agriculture-heavy states have also pushed the administration to consider restrictions on diesel exports as farmers and truckers face higher fuel costs.
The debate comes as Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to 32%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week. The survey found growing dissatisfaction over the cost of living and the war with Iran as the country approaches the midterm elections.
Trump’s day at the U.N. ultimately mixed threats with diplomacy. He warned Iran of severe consequences while U.S. officials pursued negotiations, celebrated an Arctic security agreement after months of tensions over Greenland and defended his broader use of American military and economic power.
