Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
President Donald Trump’s September 22, 2026 address to the United Nations General Assembly quickly became another major political dividing line in Washington.
Speaking before world leaders in New York, Trump used the 37-minute address to defend his administration’s foreign policy and explain his approach to some of the biggest international issues facing the United States. His remarks covered Iran, Russia and Ukraine, Cuba, artificial intelligence, international institutions and America’s role in global security.
Trump delivered particularly forceful remarks about Iran, warning of severe consequences if an agreement cannot be reached while also saying he believed negotiations could ultimately produce a deal. He discussed efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, criticized the International Criminal Court and defended his administration’s approach to American military and economic power.
His political opponents viewed portions of the speech very differently.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s comments regarding artificial intelligence and argued that the president was dismissing legitimate concerns about the technology. Other Trump critics objected to the president’s confrontational tone and some of his comments about foreign governments and international institutions.
Supporters, meanwhile, can view the same approach as Trump doing exactly what he has repeatedly promised: putting American interests first, speaking plainly to foreign governments and rejecting international policies that he believes could restrict U.S. sovereignty.
The disagreement highlights a larger debate that has followed Trump throughout his political career. Should an American president take a more diplomatic and restrained approach when appearing before international audiences, or is a more direct and confrontational message an effective way to represent U.S. interests?
How Americans answer may depend heavily on what they expect from a president on the world stage.
After hearing what President Trump told the United Nations and seeing the reaction that followed, where do you stand?