In a bold address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that his administration has ushered in what he called a "Golden Age of America," transforming an "era of darkness" inherited from the previous government. He also made his most explicit statements to date regarding Cuba on the global stage.
Delivering a comprehensive speech in New York during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, Trump highlighted a series of accomplishments in the realms of economy, security, and foreign policy. Notably, he reserved some of his harshest criticism for the Cuban regime.
"My administration is pushing for a fundamental change in Cuba, where the communist regime is under unprecedented pressure. It is an utterly failed state. It’s collapsing like never before, and it will fall," Trump proclaimed to the gathered leaders at the UN headquarters.
The Cuban delegation reportedly left the room during these comments, as reported by The New York Times and NBC News.
Trump also disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively negotiating with Havana: "Rubio is conducting negotiations. He's deeply involved in talks with Cuba. We’ll see what happens." The president concluded his remarks on Cuba with a resounding statement: "Communism will never reach America, but freedom will reach Cuba."
On the economic front, Trump cited statistics he claimed were historic records: over a million private sector jobs created since he took office, the lowest poverty rate in the nation's history, an average real family income of $87,000, and $21 trillion in global investment commitments.
"We inherited an era of darkness from the previous administration, and we turned it into the Golden Age of America," he asserted.
In terms of foreign policy, Trump portrayed himself as a president of action compared to those who "only talk." "While others talked, I acted; while others spoke of peace, I made peace," he stated, listing eight conflicts he claimed to have resolved since taking office, including Gaza, tensions between Pakistan and India, and the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Concerning Iran, Trump described military operations that, he claimed, dismantled Iran's nuclear program and sunk 159 of its naval vessels. He posed a direct question about the future: "Will there be a deal with Iran allowing them to rebuild and create a better country than before... or do I swiftly annihilate the Islamic Republic?" He expressed hope to finalize a deal "right after the midterm elections."
Regarding Venezuela, Trump recounted the January 3, 2026, military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, announcing that the previous month, the U.S. signed what he described as "the largest oil deal in history," covering 65,000 million barrels of crude. "To the victor belong the spoils," he declared.
Trump also announced an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting the U.S. permanent control over the security of that Arctic territory, with plans to build two large military bases, with the signing scheduled for the same day.
Institutionally, he reported that the UN budget was reduced for the first time by 15% in 2026, eliminating over 4,000 bureaucratic positions, and urged all member countries of the International Criminal Court to withdraw from what he termed a "rogue institution."
Regarding Ukraine, Trump promised that the conflict — claiming 25,000 lives a month, according to him — would be resolved "faster than people realize."
Key Questions on Trump’s UN Address and Implications for Cuba
What did President Trump declare about Cuba at the UN?
President Trump declared that the Cuban communist regime is under unprecedented pressure and is collapsing, asserting that it will eventually fall.
How did Trump describe his administration's impact on the U.S. economy?
Trump highlighted achievements such as the creation of over a million private sector jobs, the lowest poverty rate in U.S. history, and significant global investment commitments.
What foreign policy achievements did Trump claim in his UN speech?
Trump claimed to have resolved several international conflicts, including those in Gaza, between Pakistan and India, and between Armenia and Azerbaijan, among others.