Fox News Presenter Jesse Watters Sparks Controversy with Comments on U.N. Headquarters
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Fox News host Jesse Watters ignited a firestorm of criticism after suggesting the bombing or gassing of the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The inflammatory remarks came in response to technical malfunctions involving a teleprompter and an escalator during President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the U.N. for the General Assembly.
During an episode of Fox’s The Five, Watters condemned the malfunctions as an “insurrection,” alleging sabotage by U.N. staff. He went on to propose drastic actions, stating, “what we need to do is either leave the U.N. or we need to bomb it.”
The incident in question occurred as President Trump’s teleprompter failed at the beginning of his U.N. speech, prompting him to comment, “Whoever’s operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.” A subsequent issue arose when an escalator froze as Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attempted to use it, leading them to walk up the stairs instead.
Watters’ call for extreme measures was met with laughter from his co-hosts on The Five, with some off-camera reactions suggesting amusement at the suggestion of gassing the U.N. headquarters. However, co-host Dana Perino quickly interjected, cautioning against such actions.
The discussion continued with Watters proposing the demolition of the U.N. building, followed by a suggestion to convert it into affordable housing. The contentious remarks drew swift backlash on social media, with many calling for disciplinary action against Watters for his incendiary comments.
In response to the escalator malfunction, a U.N. spokesperson clarified that the incident was triggered accidentally by a videographer from the American delegation. The spokesperson explained that the escalator’s safety mechanism had been activated to prevent any potential harm.
Amid the ensuing controversy, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that an investigation would be conducted to determine if the malfunctions were intentional. Leavitt underscored the seriousness of the situation, emphasising the need for accountability in the event of deliberate sabotage.
Despite the uproar, President Trump continued to criticise the U.N. during his subsequent speech, lamenting the technical glitches and bemoaning the perceived inefficacy of the international organisation. His remarks further fuelled the debate over the U.N.’s role and effectiveness in addressing global issues.
The incident involving Jesse Watters’ provocative comments serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of speech and responsible discourse on mainstream media platforms. As calls for accountability grow louder, the repercussions of such rhetoric on public discourse and diplomatic relations remain a focal point of discussion.