Is This Thing On? Donald Trump at U.N. Has to Check How His Mic Works

Donald Trump At U.N.
President Donald Trump and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 18. Following Trump's speech at the U.N., Venezuela called him a "product of white supremacist ideas." Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

It's not easy heading to a new workplace, learning the ropes, feeling like everyone has access to some secret knowledge that you've been denied.

So perhaps we can all spare a thought for Donald Trump, who made his U.N. General Assembly debut Monday and seemed to be a little confused by the PA system set up for speakers.

Trump was caught on camera preparing for a panel discussion at the meeting, which brings together more than 100 world leaders at the U.N.'s headquarters in New York, asking the organization's Secretary-General António Guterres how his microphone functioned.

The footage, posted on Twitter by Britain's Channel 5 News, shows Trump peering at the dashboard in front of him and then appearing to turn on his microphone, before leaning over toward Guterres.

"Does red mean it's on, or it's off?" the President asks. "On," Guterres replies.

“Does red mean it’s on?” - @RealDonaldTrump gets to grips with the basics at a United Nations meeting pic.twitter.com/DvlIbrW2SB

— Channel 5 News (@5_News) September 18, 2017

Perhaps Trump could include better guidelines for the audiovisual system in his plans for U.N. reform, which he and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley are unveiling Monday.

Guterres told reporters last week he was seeking to build a good relationship with Trump. Maybe his much-needed advice will help seal a bond between the two men, who could also be seen together in video footage of British foreign secretary Boris Johnson greeting Trump.

Trump's other big moment at this year's General Assembly will come Tuesday, when he'll give a speech expected to take in a range of topics including Iran, and North Korea's nuclear testing program.

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About the writer


Josh is a staff writer covering Europe, including politics, policy, immigration and more.

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