President-elect Donald Trump said the United Nations has "tremendous potential," but it is currently falling well short of that.
"The U.N. has such tremendous potential, not living up to its potential. There is such tremendous potential. It is not living up [to it]," Trump told reporters during brief remarks from his Mar-a-Lago estate Wednesday in Palm Beach, Fla.
"When do you see the United Nations solving problems? They don't. They cause problems. If it lives up to the potential, it is a great thing. If it doesn't, it is a waste of time and money."
Mediaite posted video of Trump's remarks.
Trump's comments came amid a firestorm of criticism directed at the U.N. after it passed a resolution last week that demanded an end to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke Wednesday about Israel, saying a two-state solution is the only way to peace between Israel and Palestine.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump told Israel to "stay strong" in the remaining days of President Barack Obama's final term.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.