Nikki Haley claims UN laughed at ‘Trump’s honesty’ at UN General Assembly

Mr Trump says that it is 'fake news' that anyone laughed at him

The Trump administration has added yet another explanation for why United Nations diplomats laughed at the president during his address to the general assembly this week in New York: Respect.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley made the claim on Fox and Friends, saying that the career diplomats saw humour in Mr Trump’s a-diplomatic style when boasting about his achievements on one of the world’s largest stages.

“They loved how honest he is,” Ms Haley said on Thursday. “It’ s not diplomatic and they find it funny”.

Mr Trump was laughed at during his speech after he claimed that his administration “has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country”.

The diplomats in the room could be heard laughing, and the president took notice: “I didn’t expect that reaction but that’s okay”.

Mr Trump said it with a smile, and has since said those UN delegates were laughing with him, not at him. Claims otherwise, he said, are “fake news”.

“Oh it was great. Well that was meant to get some laughter, but it was great,” Mr Trump said of the chuckles he received when claiming his administration had been one of the most accomplished administrations in American history.

Mr Trump touted an “America First’ approach to his job during his appearances at the UN General Assembly, asking that other countries respect American sovereignty and saying that the US would no longer prop up rich allies with defense spending if they are not going to pay their fair share.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s international allies repeatedly urged for multilateral cooperation and for a preservation to the global world order that has been put in place following the end of World War II.