On the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, President Donald Trump will pay tribute at the Pentagon. Previously, in 2024, he attended the Ground Zero ceremony. However, in a recent statement, Trump announced his choice to commemorate this milestone at the Pentagon, not at the New York City site.
During a press engagement, Trump was asked why he opted not to visit Ground Zero. He responded, ‘Because I’m going to the Pentagon.’ Vice President JD Vance is set to represent the administration at the New York City event according to senior officials. Concurrently, other members of the administration will participate in a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The New York Times reported that Trump’s initial plan included a visit to New York City. He allegedly decided against it after being informed he could not deliver a speech, which is customary as speeches are traditionally not allowed at the Ground Zero memorial. White House communications director, Steven Cheung, refuted this report as ‘FAKE NEWS.’ Additionally, a senior official labeled the report as ‘false’ without further elaboration.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly emphasized Trump’s personal connection to the events of 9/11, noting his firsthand viewing of the attacks. She mentioned that on this significant day, the President aims to honor the fallen, support their families, and salute the courageous first responders.
Last year, Trump marked 9/11 with a visit to the Pentagon before attending a New York Yankees game dedicated to the victims. In 2024, he was present at the Ground Zero ceremony, alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris and then-President Joe Biden. Trump’s appearances at Ground Zero have been sparse, with a visit in 2016 and another to a fire station and police precinct in 2021. During his presidency, Trump took part in commemorations at the Pentagon in 2017 and 2019 and visited Shanksville in 2018 and 2020.