Trump, you need to learn that the UN is more powerful and more important than you!

[imanamerican63]

The UN is there to stop the very things you are trying to do! You are getting in way over your head if you think that you bully those other countries!

[hack89]

1. No they are not.

the UN is useful but not particularly powerful. The major powers ignore it all the time. Considering how dependent they are on US money, Trump has a lot of leverage over them - imagine the damage to the UN if he simply decides not to give them any money. They won't risk it.

[Amishman]

3. This, the UN is effectively toothless

They are a great forum to bring nations together to discuss critical issues, but the organization itself has no real power.

[oasis]

2. Yep. The UN won't be jumping through any hoops for President Nutcase.

The entire world knows how much of a loose cannon he is.

[MineralMan]

4. Actually, the right wing in the United States has long sought

the dissolution of the UN. Perhaps that is part of this action. There are many who would like to see the UN disbanded and destroyed.

[Nevernose]

5. In addition to the first reply:

Conservatives have been looking to leave the UN since the day it was founded. Especially the crazier ones.

“They’re a communist conspiracy! Black helicopters! Secret tunnels into Texas Wal-Marts! A general consensus that walkable urban centers are good is a secret plan for taking over America!” That last one is true, for the record (as are the others).

Trump is probably looking for an excuse, any excuse. Think of all the money it would save! I’d add an emoji, but there’s not one crazy AND stupid enough. I can’t even think of a word for this combination of crazy and stupid because it’s never been done this large scale before.

[procon]

6. Trump has made a stupid argument.

He has Nikki Haley stand before and the nations of the world and whine about how the US "was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation," lambasting the 128 counties in the UN General Assembly who were also exercising their rights as sovereign nations.