“All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter," he said, touting his own peacemaking efforts at a moment of heightened strain with U.S. allies over Palestinian statehood, trade and other flash points.

Trump also called climate change concerns a “con job,” saying international agreements to reduce global warming were “destroying” much of the free world with demands that industrialized nations disrupt their societies even as the developing ones continue to defy the rules.

[...]

“I’m really good at this stuff,” he said. "Your countries are going to hell."

Over the course of his remarks, he told strange lies about foreign investments in the U.S. He generated murmurs in the hall by declaring, “Our message is very simple. If you come illegally into the United States, you’re going to jail or you’re going back to where you came from — or perhaps even further than that. You know what that means.”

He pretended that he’s ended seven wars, while pointing to approval ratings that exist only in his mind. He renewed his pathetic lobbying for a Nobel Peace Prize, falsely claiming that “everyone” wants him to get one. He took pointless shots at ostensible U.S. allies in NATO and at the United Nations itself. He told unnamed officials that their countries are “going to hell.” He bragged about campaign swag sales. He attacked clean, renewable energy, while insisting that climate science is an elaborate “con job” and a “hoax” concocted by nefarious people with “evil intentions.”

And for good measure, he claimed that unnamed “environmentalists” want to ban cows.

[...]

Each individual absurdity was notable on its own, but taken together, the emerging picture was of a dishonest and arrogant American president, unable to articulate a coherent vision to foreign leaders, with a strained relationship with reality.

After ABC cut away from its usual programming to broadcast a live shot of the speech, Trump opened his remarks at the UN General Assembly in New York City with a quip about the behind-the-scenes operations at the organization.

"I feel very happy to be up here with you," he said. "I can only say that whoever's operating this teleprompter is in big trouble."

The audience laughed at the quip, though Trump remained silent for several seconds, looking around the room before collecting himself and continuing.

The pair posed briefly for cameras as they arrived before stepping onto the escalator that, to the bemusement of onlookers, ground immediately to a halt as they boarded.

After a moment of confusion, Melania quickly strode up the stalled steps, while Trump followed behind, leaving aides and staffers to take the stairs.