Trump says world leaders are ‘now friends’ in Diet Coke toast - after saying the complete opposite in his speech

Trump celebrates United Nations with wine glass full of Diet Coke after calling out global allies

Donald Trump praised world leaders at a United Nations lunch with a glass of Diet Coke rather than wine - hours after warning of globalism in a controversial speech.

It was a much different side of the US president than the one presented during his second speech to the General Assembly. Mr Trump, clinking glasses with the UN secretary general and several heads of state, said “many of you are now friends” and praised the work of the international body during a Tuesday evening reception.

"When I first came here, even though I lived in New York, it was a little bit of a foreign territory to me, the United Nations," Mr Trump said Tuesday, as other leaders drank red wine at their seats. "But now it’s like home. So many great people, so many great leaders in this room. And a lot of terrific things are happening."

The warm toast arrived shortly after Mr Trump told those same leaders the US will not allow "our wealth to be plundered and transferred" in a speech that touted his "America First" policies.

At one point in the beginning of his speech, the General Assembly hall — filled with more than 130 global leaders and other delegations — erupted in laughter when Mr Trump praised his own administration’s accomplishments.

A White House staff member from the presidential food service pours a Diet Coke (lower L) for U.S. President Donald Trump before the start of a luncheon and U.S. President Donald Trump raises his glass in a toast during a luncheon for world leaders (Top and R) in this combination photo at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 25 September 2018. (Reuters)

"In less than two years my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country,” the president said, spurring audible laughter and gasps.

“Didn’t expect that reaction but that’s OK,” he said, before going on to call out Germany and warn about “socialism and the misery that it brings everyone”.

“America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” the president said Tuesday. “I honour the right of every nation in this room to pursue its own customs, beliefs and traditions. The United States will not tell you how to live or work or worship. We only ask that you honour our sovereign rights in return.”

The president then urged the international body to “going us in calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela” and “to support Iran’s people as they struggle to reclaim their religious and righteous destiny.”

He also threatened to end foreign aid for disloyal countries, saying, “Moving forward, we are only going to give foreign aid for those who respect us and, frankly, are our friends.”

Hours later, the US president emerged with a seemingly more upbeat tone.

“On behalf of the United States, I’d like to toast to you, and I’d like to toast to the United Nations,” he said, adding that the UN “has this incredible potential to bring people together.”