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9/18/2026 Today on WW: U.N. Meetings, Trans Surgery on Kids, Homeschool Prejudice, and International Tensions
September 22, 2026 · 59 min
Today’s program reviews many things happening in New York City, surrounding the U.N. General Assembly meetings, the decision by two hospitals to cease "gender-affirming care” for minors, a Nebraska fire department’s discrimination against a homeschooled graduate, and international tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video September 22, 2026 · 59 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
Today’s program reviews many things happening in New York City, surrounding the U.N. General Assembly meetings, the decision by two hospitals to cease "gender-affirming care” for minors, a Nebraska fire department’s discrimination against a homeschooled graduate, and international tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan. ...more Show the full description Show less Today’s program reviews many things happening in New York City, surrounding the U.N. General Assembly meetings, the decision by two hospitals to cease "gender-affirming care” for minors, a Nebraska fire department’s discrimination against a homeschooled graduate, and international tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan.
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In this video 0:00 President Trump's Address at the United Nations19:00 Analyzing the UN Speech and Global Conflicts38:00 Ending Gender Affirming Care for Minors45:01 Homeschool Graduate Rejected by Fire Department52:01 Ending the Russia-Ukraine War
President Trump's Address at the United Nations 0:00 Hello. I'm Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and host of Washington Watch. Thanks for tuning in. Every day, we offer a biblical perspective on the news as well as insightful interviews with elected0:11 leaders, newsmakers, and culture experts. We have a great program planned for you today, but 1st, get up to speed on the top headlines with Washington Stan's news brief.0:27 Welcome to the Washington Stan news brief. I'm Quinn Dellamater bringing you Tuesday's top stories. President Donald Trump discussed the threat of communism and artificial intelligence today0:39 in a room full of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.0:44 The Cuban regime has also spent decades coordinating with the left wing radicals and communist networks here in the United States. As our state department has detailed, they've0:57 cultivated ties to subversive and radical groups such as the Communist Party USA, Antifa, and the Democrat Socialists of America. Communism will never be1:08 coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba.1:13 The president also spoke on AI and the new term he's dubbing it from now on.1:18 This space also totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control for the artificial intelligence being spoken of so much now,
1:30 here and after officially called superintelligence, changing the name, and that the use of the word artificial makes intelligence fake. It makes it sound fake, and it is not fake.
1:42 It's actually amazing, but we have to be careful. In fact, it is exactly the opposite of what it purports. From this point forward, all of
1:54 United States documents and hopefully the world's will be changed to use the much more accurate term, super as opposed to artificial.
2:04 Well, we'll continue to keep you updated on all the latest superintelligence developments. The president also commented on the war in Iran. Fighting has been spread to Yemen where
2:16 Iranian backed forces are spreading a civil war and firing on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has fired back with air strikes of its own, but so far the US has held back.
2:28 The president said at the UN today that the war with Iran prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and warned that he could annihilate the Islamic Republic if no deal is reached
2:40 to end the conflict.
2:42 But I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it
2:54 ever was before? Maybe 1 of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world. Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never
3:06 giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?
3:12 Inside the UN headquarters, an Iranian delegation was present. While outside the UN headquarters, dozens of anti Iranian government demonstrators gathered, a few of them holding
3:23 signs calling for freedom and democracy and decrying dictatorship. Turning to domestic issues, vice president JD Vance is continuing the crackdown on government waste,
3:35 fraud, and abuse. Doctor Mohammad Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, spoke at a press conference Tuesday alongside the VP detailing the
3:47 latest shocking findings.
3:49 About 35 percent of current people on the Obamacare system, 35 percent, more than 0.333, have never used the program. They haven't bought a prescription medication. They haven't seen a doctor. That's just
4:01 not possible. That's at least twice as much as your normal incidence of people having insurance and not using it. So we know there is fraud.
4:10 Oz called for Obamacare to be ripped to shreds and for the issue to be fixed immediately. This comes after the vice president announced last week that the Trump administration will suspend roughly
4:22 870000 people suspected of fraud involving the PayTech Protection Program. I'm Quinn Delamater and that's Tuesday's news. You can dive deeper at the Washington Stand,
4:34 Family Research Council's outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview. We'll be back next time with more stories that matter.
4:53 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and
5:04 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.
5:11 I call on all nations to join us in enforcing the complete economic isolation of Iran until they stop their attacks on commercial shipping, relinquish their nuclear
5:22 ambitions, and cease their support of terror.
5:26 That was president Donald Trump earlier today addressing world leaders gathered in New York City for the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Welcome to this Tuesday, September 22nd edition of Washington
5:39 Watch. I'm your host, Tony Perkins. Thanks so much for joining us. Well, coming up, world leaders gathered at the United Nations today with war in the Middle East, Russia's war against Ukraine, and growing tensions
5:50 between the United States and China among the many issues confronting them. President Trump addressed the general assembly today, calling on nations to economically isolate Iran, while also revealing that
6:02 US officials have held talks with Iranian representatives. Foundation for Defense of Democracies expert Ben Cohen joins us to break down the president's speech and preview Trump's upcoming meeting
6:14 with Chinese president Xi Jinping. Plus, a young volunteer firefighter in Nebraska applied to become a full time firefighter only to have his application rejected because
6:26 he was homeschooled. You'll join us to share his story and explain why he's taking a stand for equal opportunity for homeschool graduates. And Russia and Ukraine exchanged more deadly strikes as
6:38 Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky met with president Trump earlier today in New York. Texas congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the... Chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
6:49 joins me live in studio to discuss the war and what it could take to bring it to an end before it reaches the 5 year mark. All of that and more straight ahead.
7:04 Alright. It makes sense to start with international news as leaders and delegates from nearly 200 nations gathered at the United Nations today at the General Assembly's high level debate got underway.
7:16 Joining us now is Washington Sand reporter, Casey Harper. Casey, president Trump took the podium today with wars in the Middle East and Ukraine dominating much of the international discussion. Kinda walk us through the
7:26 highlights of his remarks. Yeah. It's only a big discussion. Kinda walk us through the
7:30 highlights of his remarks. Yeah. Tony, a big day in the big apple today where world leaders gathered to address these foreign palace policy changes that you're laying out, the the Middle East, the global market, and
7:39 economic challenges. And as you said, president Trump took center stage where he addressed the assembly. He did, of course, take a moment to address his own accomplishments around job creation, tax cuts, and closing the
7:50 border. But he shifted to address the conflict in Iran, and he issued a strong challenge to other nations to join the US in isolating Iran economically and forcing them to the negotiating table. He
8:02 also threatened to annihilate the regime. But despite that, he said US officials had a very good meeting with members of the Iranian delegation and said there would be another meeting in the future. In fact, here's a
8:12 clip.
8:13 How was it? It ended an hour ago. It was a meeting that lasted for 3 hours. It ended an hour ago.
8:21 What was It was
8:22 a very good meeting. I mean, I must say it's very good. I can't imagine why they wouldn't wanna do it. It's greatness, potential greatness, or obliteration. I mean, you're
8:34 right. In 1 case, it's obliteration, and the other alternative is potential greatness. It could be a great country.
8:41 Now that kind of, mixed messaging on Iran is something we're used to, but that's not the only news out of today. President Trump and the leaders of Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement that allows a larger US
8:51 military presence on the island, something president Trump had been wanting because of his aim for Arctic security. Now during his speech, president Trump also took a moment to criticize, the UN for failing to address
9:03 Christian persecution around the world in what was a very, very busy news day, Tony.
9:08 Alright. Thanks, Casey. Speaking of Christian persecution, a hearing was held, earlier today on Capitol Hill, by congressman Chris Smith shedding light on people imprisoned and persecuted by the Chinese
9:20 Communist Party. Now this comes ahead of president Trump's meeting with, president, Xi Jinping later this week. Give us the highlights of that meeting.
9:29 Sure. The congressional executive commission on China held that hearing focused on the treatment of prisoners in China, the prolonged detention of US citizens, and in particular, the persecution of Christians, something
9:39 we've seen a lot of. Now witnesses included pastor Esrajian, who's a bit famous now. He was released after over 260 days in detention after president Trump met with Xi Jinping. But at the committee hearing, members
9:51 aim to evaluate ways that DC can press for those who are still behind bars in China to get out as there are many more besides Esrijian who are still still locked up there, Tony.
10:02 Alright. 1 other item. I wanna go back to the the United Nations General Assembly and the events taking player this... Taking place there this week. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be there later this week
10:12 speaking, but he called out New York City mayor Zoran Mamdani ahead of his appearance this week. What did he have to say?
10:21 Yeah. These 2 are not quite, fast friends. He released a video earlier today, Netanyahu did. We had tough words from the mayor saying, shame on you. And in fact, we have a clip of that right here.
10:30 Shame on you, mister Mandani. Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people. Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews. I'm coming to the
10:42 UN. I'm gonna tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I'm gonna tell the truth about you.
10:49 Now this message is in response to Mamdani who's been on the media calling Netanyahu a war criminal, saying he's behind a horrific genocide. And, of course, you remember not long ago, he called for Netanyahu's arrest. So
10:59 we'll be interested in seeing that speech, which... From Netanyahu in response, which will be on Thursday, Tony.
11:04 So I don't guess they'll be standing on
11:06 the lawn in front of the
11:07 Gracie Mansion, arm in arm.
11:08 No. No friendship bracelets here.
11:11 Alright, Casey. Thanks for the, the updates. Alright. Let's turn back to president Trump's address today at the United Nations General Assembly. Joining us now to discuss this and more is Ben Cohen, a research fellow at
11:23 the Foundation for Defense of Democracies whose focus is on international organizations such as the United Nations. Ben, welcome to Washington, Watts. Thanks for, taking time to join us.
11:33 Good to be with you, Tony.
11:34 Alright. Let's start with, your take on president Trump's remarks today.
11:40 Well, I thought the president addressed, a wide range range of issues in his, inimitable style. And I think that there was a welcome difference in emphasis in terms of what the
11:51 president said compared to what other leaders talked about. And what's uppermost in my mind when I say that is actually the war in in Gaza, because Trump,
12:03 made absolutely clear, went out of his way to remind the... His audience at the GA that the 3rd anniversary of the atrocities of October the 7th, is upon us, in in
12:15 about, 2 weeks. And he talked about, again, the depravity and the bestiality that Hamas unleashed on Israeli citizens that day. And in the 3
12:27 years since those atrocities, we've rather lost sight of that. So I think that that was a very welcome, emphasis from from the president. I think the other thing
12:39 that the president achieved with his speech today was to remind the UN that there are conflicts beyond, the Israeli Palestinian conflict, which is... You know, the UN is absolutely obsessed with it.
12:51 If you look at the speeches of many of the other leaders, they typically began by referring to it. Trump didn't do that. Trump talked about, about the war in Ukraine.
13:03 He talked about, what the US has achieved in Venezuela since the unseating, nearly a year ago of Nicolas Maduro. And as you just said, Tony, he talks
13:15 about really 1 of the great hidden persecution issues in our world today, which is the persecution of of of Christians, particularly in the Middle East.
13:23 It it really is like many of those, delegates to the United Nations live in a parallel universe, when they get up there and they start talking about these things. But back to the president's remarks on, October the 7th,
13:35 there was a bridge. He connected it to the commemoration we had in this country, the memorial for the 9 11, both coming at the hands of, these these terrorists. And he may... I
13:47 think he made the connection between the 2. I I I wanna ask you about the president. I mean, he, post his speech where he said that, Iran was facing annihilation
14:00 or it could be a great country, had the potential to be a great country. But then, he later, after that, said there was a 3 hour meeting in which, looks like a deal might be available. Looks like Iran wants
14:12 the pressure off of their ports released so they can get money coming in, promising to open up the straits. It sounds like we've heard that before.
14:22 We've heard it many times before, Tony. I think we've been hearing it really since since January, since the beginning of this, this this operation. And so, you know, I think
14:34 that I I have to to to conclude that this is deliberate on the president's part, that this seesawing between threats of annihilation and promises of negotiations is something he's
14:46 doing, deliberately because he wants to put the fear of God, into the Iranian, regime. He's often said that we're on the cusp of getting them to agree to a
14:58 deal, and he certainly has good reason to say that in the sense that Iran's economy is absolutely wrecked. Its, its its air force and its navy have been largely
15:09 destroyed. Its nuclear program has taken a real battering with the result that, its drive to obtain, to weaponize that nuclear program has been set back quite significantly.
15:21 So there's a lot of reasons to expect that the Iranians would want to to make a deal. But each time that opportunity has been offered to them over the last 10 months, they have turned it down.
15:33 But but it's almost it it been been been... It's almost as if you got him in a full Nelson. And, you're you're down almost to the 10 count. And at 8, you let them up just so that they can recover and come back
15:45 again. I mean, I think... I mean, we've seen this before. We let off the pressure. They're able to to, you know, then rethink it. And once again, we're right back where we we started. I mean, I
15:58 I I don't know. I I I don't know if the president is, as you said, the seesaw back and forth. Is there some kind of strategy here? But thus far, it's not been able to bring this to a closure.
16:10 Well, I think... Look, Tony, I think 1 of the reasons here is our domestic considerations. He has got an eye on the midterms 2 months from now. He's also aware that there is... In his own party, there is a significant
16:21 and growing anti interventionist base, that doesn't want this war with Iran, that doesn't see the purpose of war with Iran, that is pointing to the impact that that war has had
16:33 on oil prices, on food prices, on other issues that that concern consumers. So I think there is something of a balancing act that he has to perform here. At the same time, I think, you
16:45 know, in both his 1st and 2nd terms, he's had enough experience of dealing with Iran, to know that they are very unlikely to make a deal with a country that they call, the great
16:57 saint.
16:57 Right.
16:57 You know, the same day that Trump is talking about a deal with Iran, you're seeing demonstrations, government orchestrated demonstrations in Tehran with people carrying banners with a, you know, a target on
17:09 Trump's face and and urging the assassination of our president.
17:13 You know, I I I I see it, you know, as 1 of those situations where you wanna rip off the band aid because you've got to you've got this situation. You gotta deal with it. I agree. We've got a short timeline, short
17:22 attention span of the American people, but I think this is just dragging it out. Hey. I I wanna pivot very quickly. We've got a minute left.
17:29 Sure.
17:30 Benjamin Netanyahu will be at the the United Nations, like, on Thursday. He'll be speaking. 1 of the issues, there's been a lot of advancement in Israel taking back territory that I believe belongs to them in Judea and
17:42 Samaria. That's gotten a lot of attention lately, especially, over the weekend as there was a, a terrorist attack attack on 1 of the, Jewish communities. Is he... Does he address that Thursday?
17:55 Yeah. He absolutely does. And and, you know, like Trump, BB also, Benjamin Netanyahu also has an eye on elections because Israel goes to really what is a a a very critical election,
18:07 next month. And I think that its diplomatic progress will, in many ways, be determined by the outcome of of of that, election. But I think the fundamental issues for Israel remain the
18:19 same. And right now, that's in the framework of the Trump peace plan, for Gaza. And the main demand of that plan is that Hamas disarm. That has not happened. There is very
18:31 little sign of Hamas doing that voluntarily. So I think when Bibi comes to the UN on Thursday, he's coming with the knowledge that the IDF IDF may have to resume its military operations in Gaza because
18:43 Hamas is simply not gonna give up those weapons.
18:45 It'll be the only other speech I watch. Ben, thanks for joining us. Alright, folks. Stick with us. We're back after this.
18:53 Join us for a time of prayer, inspiration, and action at this year's pray vote stand summit at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. Hear from doctor Ben Carson,Show more
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