Donald Trump spent much of his speech to the UN General Assembly berating other countries for taking advantage of the US.
But it wasn’t all complaints. Trump also tried to present a path forward for the world: Patriotism. The US president advocated today (Sept. 25) for unleashing the “passion that burns in the hearts of patriots” to achieve common goals, such as peace.
It’s an unusually nationalistic argument to make at the most international of world forums—and it’s unclear how patriotic fervor would enhance the kind of multilateral negotiating behind most of the UN’s work.
After first laughing at Trump for beginning by boasting about his achievements, the crowd offered a polite round of applause when he finished.
Here’s how Trump ended his speech, with a call for the support for patriotism everywhere:
Many countries are pursuing their own unique visions. Building their own hopeful futures and chasing their own wonderful dreams of destiny, of legacy, and of a home. The whole world is richer. Humanity is better because of this beautiful constellation of nations, each very special, each very unique, and each shining brightly in its part of the world.
In each one, we see awesome promise of a people bound together by a shared past and working toward a common future. As for Americans, we know what kind of future we want for ourselves. We know what kind of a nation America must always be. In America, we believe in the majesty of freedom and the dignity of the individual.
We believe in self-government and the rule of law. We prize the culture that sustains our liberty. A culture built on strong families, deep faith, and fierce independence. We celebrate our heroes, we treasure our traditions, and above all, we love our country.
Inside everyone in this great chamber today, and everyone listening all around the globe, there is the heart of a patriot that feels the same powerful love for your nation, the same intense loyalty to your homeland. The passion that burns in the hearts of patriots and the souls of nations has inspired reform and revolution, sacrifice and selflessness, scientific breakthroughs and magnificent works of art.
Our task is not to erase it, but to embrace it. To build with it, to draw on its ancient wisdom and to find within it the will to make our nations greater, our regions safer, and the world better. To unleash this incredible potential in our people, we must defend the foundations that make it all possible. Sovereign and independent nations are the only vehicle where freedom has ever survived, democracy has ever endured, or peace has ever prospered. And so, we must protect our sovereignty and our cherished independence above all.
When we do, we will find new avenues for cooperation unfolding before us. We will find new passion for peacemaking rising within us. We will find new purpose, new resolve, and new spirit flourishing all around us. And making this a more beautiful world in which to live. So together, let us choose a future of patriotism, prosperity, and pride. Let us choose peace and freedom over domination and defeat.
Let us come here to this place to stand for our people and their nations. Forever strong, forever sovereign, forever just, and forever thankful for the grace and the goodness and the glory of God.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the nations of the world.