President Donald Trump reportedly plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the Pentagon, not Ground Zero in New York City – in part because he cannot give a speech.
The president had initially intended to join former presidents and other officials in Manhattan on September 11, but those plans were changed after memorial planners seemingly reminded Trump’s team that politicians are barred from speaking at the site to maintain its nonpartisan stance, the New York Times reported.
Instead, Vice President JD Vance will represent the White House in New York City while Trump goes to the Pentagon, which also came under attack on September 11, 2001.
White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement: “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.”
She added, “As a proud New Yorker, President Trump has spoken about his own experiences watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001.”
open image in galleryThe president and First Lady Melania Trump also marked the September 11th anniversary at the Pentagon last year. At the memorial, Trump spoke about those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001, while peppering in brags about his administration and agenda.
“In America we take blows, but we never buckle. We bleed, but we do not bow, and we defy the fear, endure the flames and emerge from the crucible of every hardship stronger, prouder and greater than ever before,” Trump said during remarks last year.
The president then added: “Last year we were a dead country, now we have the hottest country anywhere in the world” – a statement he repeatedly shared during rallies and press conferences.
Later that day, Trump flew to New York City to attend a New York Yankees game.
Since 2012, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum has prohibited politicians from speaking at Ground Zero – the site of the Twin Towers.
That decision was made after a series of political battles over the construction of the memorial site angered families who felt the political issues were overshadowing the memory of those who died that day.
open image in galleryThe last time Trump attended a 9/11 memorial in New York City was during the 2024 presidential race when he joined then-president Joe Biden, then-vice president Kamala Harris and other officials at Ground Zero.
The politicians shook hands and stood side-by-side as they remembered the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attack.
This year, several notable politicians are expected to attend the 25th anniversary at Ground Zero, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton; former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush; and former President Barack Obama, officials familiar with the planning told the New York Times.
There are other reasons the president will mark the day from Washington, D.C., instead of New York City.
The president is planning to travel to his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, the following day and it’s easier to leave from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland than the tri-state area airports, the New York Times reported.