Trump, Melania, and the Broken UN Escalator: Kimmel Keeps the Jokes Coming

Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had an awkward moment at the United Nations when the escalator they were riding suddenly stopped. Though minor, the incident quickly gained media attention—and gave comedian Jimmy Kimmel fresh material in their long-running feud.

As the escalator stopped, Melania was reportedly leading the way. The couple and their team had to walk the rest of the way using stairs. Trump later commented that the sudden stop “could have been dangerous” had they not held the handrail. He suggested the malfunction may have been deliberate, pointing to a story about UN staff allegedly joking about such a prank. Trump called it “sabotage” and said those responsible should be held accountable.

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has frequently clashed with Trump, used the incident to poke fun at the former president. Kimmel posted a humorous image of his sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, riding a working escalator, captioned with a jab about filming in Brooklyn the following week.

The feud between Kimmel and Trump reignited earlier this year when ABC briefly suspended Kimmel after remarks he made about Trump and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Trump praised the suspension publicly. After returning to the air, Kimmel addressed the controversy, accusing Trump of trying to “cancel” him and calling the former president a “bully.”

Though the escalator mishap was brief and harmless, it highlighted how even small moments can become symbolic fuel in an ongoing cultural battle—especially when late-night comedy meets political tension.