A quarter-century has passed since the September 11 attacks. The United States prepares to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives. This anniversary also highlights former President Donald Trump’s remarks and actions related to 9/11, which have been both solemn and contentious.
Trump’s 2025 Pentagon Speech
On September 11, 2025, Trump spoke at a remembrance event at the Pentagon. He described the attacks as encountering ‘pure evil.’ He reaffirmed that the victims would always be remembered. ‘On that fateful day, savage monsters attacked the very symbols of our civilization,’ Trump stated. ‘Yet here in Virginia and in New York and in the skies over Pennsylvania, Americans did not hesitate. They stood on their feet, and they showed the world that we will never yield, we will never bend, we will never give up, and our great American flag will never, ever fail.’
Trump concluded with a stern warning aimed at potential aggressors: ‘If you attack the United States of America, we will hunt you down and we will find you… We will crush you without mercy, and we will triumph without question.’
Controversy Surrounding the 25th Anniversary
As the 25th anniversary approached in 2026, Trump dismissed claims he chose the Pentagon event over Ground Zero because he wasn’t permitted to speak there. ‘I’ve been to New York many times over the years, and no one ever speaks, it’s a “solemn ceremony,”’ he wrote on Truth Social, adding that he preferred not to speak and use the day to remember victims and their families.
Statements on 9/11 and Aftermath
In September 2025, Trump addressed another gathering, Steel Across America, near the White House. He emphasized the solemnity of the day: ‘On 9/11, nearly 3,000 precious souls were stolen from us,’ before reaffirming the vow made to never forget. Trump mentioned taking workers to Lower Manhattan following the attacks, suggesting his personal involvement in the aftermath. Recalling an event near One Liberty Plaza, he described how firefighters lifted him to safety, concerned the building would collapse. Trump had addressed scrutiny over this account, clarifying he arrived after the towers fell, accompanied by construction workers, insisting his account was accurate.
Recollections of 9/11
On the day of the attacks, Trump was at Trump Tower in New York City. He watched the tragic events from his window. In a 2002 interview with Howard Stern, Trump noted, ‘I saw the whole thing.’ He reiterated these observations during a campaign stop in Ohio in 2015.
Trump’s initial comments about the attacks were documented in a live television interview on September 11, 2001, where he asserted a tough stance was necessary. During the interview, he remarked about 40 Wall Street being downtown’s tallest building after the towers fell.
Presence at Ground Zero
Two days later, Trump visited Ground Zero. A report from The Washington Post described him as impeccably dressed, carrying a cellphone, amidst the devastation. In interviews that day, Trump expressed the scene’s overwhelming devastation. He mentioned coordinating efforts to aid in recovery and reconstruction. Investigations have yet to verify these claims.
Trump’s Ongoing 9/11 Narrative
While often highlighting his firsthand experiences and involvement in clean-up efforts, evidence supporting Trump’s active role remains sparse. At a campaign event in 2016, he praised those who worked at Ground Zero, sharing memories of his time there.
Throughout his first presidential campaign, Trump referred to 9/11 frequently. He criticized fellow Republicans, such as Senator Ted Cruz, for comments he viewed as dismissive of ‘New York values.’ He directly attributed the attacks to former President George W. Bush’s tenure, emphasizing his hypothetical, tougher approach if he had been in power.
During an Alabama rally, Trump controversially claimed witnessing ‘thousands’ of Muslims celebrating the destruction. Although widely discredited, Trump maintained his assertions. Past social media actions, like a contentious 2013 tweet on 9/11, have also contributed to ongoing debates surrounding his statements and recollections of the tragic day.