REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
The president made his debut appearance before the UN as the body convened for its annual General Assembly of speeches and meetings.
Trump's remark on Tuesday about "portions of the world" that are "going to hell" came on the heels of one of his key complaints: that the US, which covers 22% of the UN budget, bears an unfair share of the cost burden.
"But to be fair, if it could actually accomplish all of its stated goals, especially the goal of peace, this investment would easily be well worth it," Trump said in his speech.
He added that the "powerful people" convened at the headquarters could effectively solve "many of these vicious and complex problems."
In the meantime, he said, "no nation should have to bear a disproportionate share of the burden, militarily or financially."
He also had harsh words for North Korea and said the US "will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea" if the country, led by "rocket man" Kim Jong Un, continues its nuclear aggression.
Bloomberg reported that North Korea's delegation left the UN hall before Trump's speech.
President Trump in UN address: "Major portions of the world are in conflict, and some, in fact, are going to hell." https://t.co/8oRfZhoQFI pic.twitter.com/UG3rdIfGQt
- CNN (@CNN) September 19, 2017