The United Nations confirmed Friday that Fox News host Jesse Watters privately apologized after making controversial remarks calling for the world body to be bombed, gassed, and destroyed during a Tuesday broadcast.
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric revealed that Watters reached out to U.N. global communications chief Melissa Fleming following contact between the United Nations and Fox News regarding the inflammatory statements. Fox News has not publicly commented on the matter.
UN Condemns ‘Unacceptable’ Rhetoric
Dujarric expressed shock at the remarks, emphasizing the serious nature of threats against the international organization. “There is nothing funny or ironic in calling for the bombing, the gassing, the destruction of this building,” he told reporters. “That kind of language is unacceptable.”
The spokesperson reminded the public of real-world consequences the UN has faced, referencing deadly bombings that killed UN personnel in Baghdad, Algiers, and Abuja. “We know painfully the reality of what happens when threats are made against the U.N.,” Dujarric said, noting he personally witnessed the aftermath of the Algiers attack.
Context Behind the Controversial Comments
Watters made the inflammatory remarks while discussing President Donald Trump’s address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. During the broadcast, he referenced technical difficulties Trump experienced, including a malfunctioning escalator and teleprompter issues.
“What we need to do is either leave the U.N. or we need to bomb it,” Watters stated on air. “Maybe gas it … we need to destroy it.”
UN Clarifies Technical Issues
The United Nations has provided explanations for both incidents. Officials stated the escalator stopped abruptly after Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stepped onto it, likely because a White House videographer accidentally triggered a safety mechanism. Regarding the teleprompter malfunction, UN officials clarified it was being operated by White House personnel, not UN staff.
Dujarric confirmed the organization stands by its preliminary findings, which were shared with the United States government.
High-Security Environment
The controversy emerged during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, where nearly 150 heads of state and government delivered annual addresses to the 193-member body under heightened security protocols.
The incident has raised questions about media responsibility and the potential impact of inflammatory rhetoric directed at international institutions that have been targets of actual terrorist attacks throughout their history.
