Trump to Attend Pentagon Ceremony for 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

<p>President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will attend a ceremony at the Pentagon to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This statement was made at Joint Base Andrews when a reporter inquired about his absence from the Ground Zero event in New York.</p><p>Trump responded, "Because I'm going to the Pentagon." A report from The New York Times on Thursday indicated that Trump would not be present at Ground Zero due to restrictions on politicians speaking at the event, a policy in place since 2012.</p><p>A White House spokeswoman emphasized Trump's connection to New York, stating, "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," according to White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly.</p><p>Additionally, a White House official noted that the vice president will travel to New York City, and all three attack sites will have administration officials in attendance.</p><p>In response to a report from TMZ suggesting Trump was "snubbing" the Ground Zero ceremony, White House communications director Steven Cheung labeled it as "FAKE NEWS." Trump also criticized the New York Times reporter on Truth Social, asserting that the report was fabricated and that he would be a featured speaker at the Pentagon.</p><p>Trump expressed his desire not to speak at the Ground Zero event, stating, "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." Last year, he attended the Pentagon ceremony for the 24th anniversary of 9/11 but later went to New York City for a Yankees game.</p><p>The last time Trump attended the Ground Zero ceremony was in 2024, alongside then-President Joe Biden and then-Vice President Kamala Harris. During his first term, Trump did not attend the Ground Zero ceremony, alternating between commemorations at the Pentagon and the site in Pennsylvania.</p><p>Nearly 3,000 people died in the September 11 attacks, when al-Qaeda hijackers crashed three commercial airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The attacks prompted the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and contributed to the broader War on Terror.</p>