Donald Trump has used his address to the UN general assembly to deliver a nationalist manifesto, denouncing “globalism” and illegal immigration and promoting patriotism as a cure for the world’s ills.
Trump’s third UN speech of his presidency was a largely philosophical tract delivered in a muted monotone, which bore the hallmarks of his most long-serving hardline White House adviser and speechwriter, Stephen Miller.
In his address, the US president echoed the rhetoric of far-right nativist groups who argue that citizens with long family history in a country have a more profound grasp of national interests than recent arrivals, and that the established population should be on its guard against forces aimed at its “replacement”.
“The free world must embrace its national foundations. It must not attempt to erase them, or replace them,” Trump said. “The true good of the nation, can only be pursued by those who love it, by citizens who are rooted in its history, who are nourished by its culture, committed to its values, attached to his people.”
In the course of his 36-minute speech, Trump repeatedly referred to “patriots”, an undefined group of citizens uniquely able to interpret national interest.
“Patriots see a nation and its destiny in ways no one else can. Liberty is only preserved, sovereignty is only secure, democracy is only sustained, greatness is only realised by the will and devotion of patriots,” the president said.
The potency of the rhetoric was at odds with the softness of its delivery, which was hushed, bordering on soporific. Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, was pictured nodding off in the audience in the giant general assembly chamber.
“Patriots see a nation and its destiny in ways no one else can. Liberty is only preserved, sovereignty is only secure, democracy is only sustained, greatness is only realised by the will and devotion of patriots,” the president said.
The potency of the rhetoric was at odds with the softness of its delivery, which was hushed, bordering on soporific. Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, was pictured nodding off in the audience in the giant general assembly chamber.
Trump railed against globalism, which he claimed had “exerted a religious pall over past leaders causing them to ignore their own national interests”.
“The future does not belong to the globalists. The future belongs to patriots,” the president said, echoing another consistent theme of the hard right.
“Looking around and all over this large, magnificent planet, the truth is plain to see. If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation. Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first.”
Ben Rhodes, who was Barack Obama’s foreign affairs adviser and speechwriter, was scathing in his assessment of content and style.
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