This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While there will be a proper ceremony to mark the date in New York City, President Donald Trump will not be there. According to a new report, there is a disturbing reason he won’t attend, and Trump has now broken his silence over it.
President Donald Trump will not attend the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City on September 11. Instead, Trump is expected to mark the solemn anniversary at the Pentagon.
Trump has attended the 9/11 remembrance ceremony in Manhattan before, most recently in 2024 and also in 2016. Last year, after taking part in the ceremony at the Pentagon, Trump traveled to New York, where he attended a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.
However, the decision that the president won’t be in attendance is raising eyebrows not only because of his position, but also because Trump is a native New Yorker and has spoken many times about his connection to the city and the terrorist attacks.
According to reports, Trump had originally planned to attend the ceremony in New York. But there was one major problem—one that, according to The New York Times, is the reason he won’t attend. Donald was said to have wanted to give a speech, which he wasn’t allowed to.
Trump’s team had initially discussed having the president travel to New York City for the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, with early plans for him to attend the memorial ceremony at Ground Zero, per CNN sources.
Why Donald Trump reportedly skips 9/11 anniversary ceremony in New York
However, those plans reportedly changed after Trump told his team he wanted to give a speech.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, which oversees the site and organizes the ceremony, has not allowed politicians to speak at the event since 2012. The organization has stressed its commitment to keeping the ceremony nonpartisan.
“Elected officials of both parties have borne witness to this solemn occasion over the years, and we have been honored that every living President, including President Trump, has attended. Of course, President Trump is always welcome,” the organization said in a statement.
According to CNN sources, that decision ultimately played a role in changing Trump’s plans for the anniversary. And it didn’t take long for the White House and Trump himself to respond to the reports.
White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to Fox that Trump is a “proud New Yorker.”
Trump breaks silence
“President Trump has spoken about his own experiences watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001. On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, the president will remember those who were killed at the hands of evil terrorists, honor their loved ones and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans,” Kelly said.
On Truth Social, Donald Trump called it a “made up story.”
He lashed out against the New York Times reporter behind the story, saying that she “made up a story that on September 11th, I’m not going to the World Trade Center, in New York City, because they won’t let me make a speech, and I’m going to the Pentagon in D.C., because I’m a featured speaker.”
“This is more Corrupt News, I’ve been to New York many times over the years, and no one ever speaks, it’s a ‘solemn ceremony!'” the president continued. “I would love not to speak, because I’m speaking all the time, and this is a day to remember the victims, and their beautiful family members.”
Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the Trump administration at the ceremony in New York.
READ MORE
- Donald Trump’s reaction to King Harald of Norway’s death is raising eyebrows
- Natalie Harp slammed over Dolly Parton social media post involving Donald Trump
