Trump: Recognition of a Palestinian State is a ‘Reward’ for Hamas/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump denounced efforts at the UN to recognize Palestinian statehood, calling it a “reward” for Hamas terrorists. He urged immediate hostage releases and a negotiated ceasefire in Gaza while touting U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Trump also downplayed winning a Nobel Peace Prize, claiming his focus is on “saving lives.”
Trump UNGA 2025 Quick Looks
- Trump labeled Palestinian state recognition at the UN a “reward” for Hamas atrocities.
- Called for immediate hostage release as a precondition for peace in Gaza.
- Criticized Hamas “ransom demands” and vowed to secure the last 20 hostages.
- Reaffirmed U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities under “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
- Declared U.S. weapons unmatched, boasting “no other country could have done what we did.”
- Claimed almost all of Iran’s senior military commanders are now dead.
- Dismissed focus on a Nobel Peace Prize, saying he values “saving lives” more.
- Speech reflected Trump’s hardline foreign policy themes: deterrence, sovereignty, and strength.
Deep Look:
Trump at UN: Palestinian Statehood Push ‘Rewards Hamas,’ Calls for Hostage Release and Boasts U.S. Iran Strikes
UNITED NATIONS — President Donald Trump used his Tuesday address to the United Nations General Assembly to sharply criticize the international momentum behind recognizing a Palestinian state, calling it nothing less than a “reward for Hamas” following the group’s October 7 attacks on Israel. The remarks came as Trump also demanded the release of remaining hostages in Gaza, recounted U.S. military strikes against Iran, and cast himself as a global peacemaker who values lives over accolades.
Palestinian Statehood Momentum Rejected
In one of the speech’s most forceful passages, Trump condemned European countries that formally recognized a Palestinian state during a UN summit earlier in the week. France, Belgium, and several others have recently moved to bolster support for a two-state solution, even as Israel and the U.S. remain opposed.
“As if to encourage continued conflict, some in this body are unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state,” Trump told delegates. “The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists after their atrocities — including October 7.”
Trump argued that recognition of Palestinian sovereignty without hostage releases or a ceasefire would embolden Hamas, undermine Israeli security, and derail peace efforts.
Hostage Crisis Central to Trump’s Message
Throughout his speech, Trump emphasized the plight of the 48 hostages Israel believes Hamas still holds in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be alive. He reiterated that freeing the captives must come before political concessions.
“Those who want peace should be united with one message: Release the hostages now. Just release them,” he said, drawing light applause from some in the chamber.
The president credited the work of special envoy Steve Wikoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for negotiating the release of many captives earlier this year, but admitted that securing the final 20 remains the hardest challenge.
“I always said, the last 20 are going to be the hardest. And that’s exactly what happened. But we must get them back now,” Trump declared.
Peace Over Prizes: Trump on the Nobel
Trump also used the stage to revisit his long-running claims of deserving a Nobel Peace Prize for mediating conflicts worldwide. This time, however, he struck a more restrained tone.
“Everyone says I should get the Nobel for each of these achievements,” he said. “But for me, the real prize will be sons and daughters growing up with their parents because endless wars finally ended.”
“What I care about is not winning prizes, it’s saving lives,” Trump concluded.
Operation Midnight Hammer: U.S. Strikes Iran
The president then pivoted to military achievements, boasting of Operation Midnight Hammer, the massive U.S. air campaign that demolished Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.
“Three months ago, seven American B-2 bombers dropped fourteen 30,000-pound bombs on Iran’s key nuclear sites, totally obliterating everything,” Trump said. “No other country on Earth could have done what we did. We have the greatest weapons, and we used them.”
According to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, the operation involved 125 U.S. aircraft, including stealth bombers, plus a guided-missile submarine that fired two dozen Tomahawks at Iranian targets in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Trump claimed the strikes not only destroyed enrichment capacity but also killed “almost all” of Iran’s senior military commanders, signaling what he called a historic victory in U.S. deterrence strategy.
Hardline Themes: Sovereignty, Strength, and Security
The speech underscored Trump’s broader worldview:
- Strong deterrence through unmatched military force.
- Opposition to international recognition of adversaries without strict conditions.
- Rejection of global consensus, especially when led by European allies at the UN.
He framed his administration’s actions as proof of U.S. strength in contrast to what he called UN “weakness” and “symbolism.”
“Instead of rewarding terrorists, instead of issuing hollow words, we must act with strength,” Trump insisted.
International Reaction
While some delegates applauded Trump’s hostage demands, much of the chamber remained subdued during his denunciations of Palestinian recognition and his boasting about Iran strikes. Diplomats noted the contrast between Trump’s call for peace negotiations in Gaza and his celebration of bombing campaigns in Iran, reflecting the duality of his “peace through strength” approach.
European leaders, particularly from nations that backed Palestinian recognition, bristled at Trump’s characterization of their moves as reckless rewards for Hamas.
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