In the ever-entertaining world of politics, sometimes it takes a faulty escalator to bring a chuckle or two. In what’s now being called “Escalator Gate,” former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania were greeted not by fanfare but by a broken escalator at the United Nations General Assembly. Now, if mishaps with stairs and presidents sound familiar, one could argue that America’s present Commander-in-Chief has had quite a few tussles with such mechanical contraptions himself. Regardless, this incident is certainly giving the political sphere something to chortle about.
With the UN Assembly wrapping up, one would think the focus would be on serious world matters. Yet, a simple mechanical failure has sparked chatter about alleged sabotage, especially when it happened to someone known for his theatrical flair. Caroline Lovett, seemingly determined to expose “the truth,” is on a mission to unravel the secrets of the so-called breakdown. Some enthusiasts are spinning tales of conspiracy, pondering whether this mishap was an intentional slight to the former president. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time in history that people have attempted to literally trip up political rivals.
Though some might find the notion silly, it’s clear there’s more on the line here than keeping the Trumps off balance. Katie Pavlich of Townhall reported subtler and possibly shady acts of mischief. She noted that during Trump’s historic speech, the audio was mysteriously low compared to previous speakers. One could chalk it up to technical difficulties, but paired with the escalator incident, it does seem like too much for mere coincidence. These snags could be an inept UN’s tech team, or, as some suggest, a deliberate attempt to silence a voice often critical of international bureaucrats and their agendas.
But let’s not lose our sense of humor amidst life’s escalator mishaps. Observers at the UN may have looked on with the enthusiasm of cats in a bathtub, but some suspects that a traditional videographer, perhaps even a sneaky three-year-old, could have performed some escalator tricks. Of course, this isn’t the direction serious minds would usually wander, but in today’s political climate, a malfunctioning escalator can fuel the imagination.
Finally, pondering the serious breach of escalator etiquette, it’s clear people appreciate the chuckles and absurdity of what’s dubbed “progress” in the UN. Whether it’s an accident or a conspiracy is left to the audience to decide. What’s certain is that the incident provided much-needed comic relief in this world of serious politics. While the UN inadvertently drives New York’s seasoned cab drivers bonkers, perhaps this time, it delivered a light-hearted story to the rest of us.
