White House answers report Trump skipped 9/11 memorial after being refused a speaking role
The White House has responded to reports that President Donald Trump abandoned plans to attend New York City’s official 9/11 remembrance after he was not allowed to deliver remarks.
This year is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the attacks carried out in 2001. Trump, however, will not appear at the New York ceremony, with reports claiming he withdrew because organizers would not provide an opportunity for a public speech.
According to those accounts, organizers explained that political officials are prohibited from giving public addresses during the 9/11 memorial service. After that rule was communicated, the Trump administration reportedly canceled its plan for the president to participate in the ceremony.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum introduced the policy in 2012 following political disagreements surrounding the rebuilding of the site.
Reports now say Trump will attend a separate remembrance at the Pentagon in Virginia, where another hijacked aircraft struck on 9/11. He is also expected to speak at that event.
Speculation followed that Trump’s absence from the World Trade Center commemoration marking twenty-five years since the deadliest attack on American soil was solely connected to the speaking restriction. The White House then issued a response.
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White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Trump is a proud New Yorker who has previously described his personal experience of watching the terrible events of September 11, 2001.
Kelly said that on the tragedy’s twenty-fifth anniversary, the president would remember the people murdered by terrorists, recognize their loved ones and honor the courageous first responders who endangered their own lives to save fellow Americans.
Trump also attacked the reporting directly in a Truth Social post. He called the New York Times journalist behind the story fake and failing, insulted her appearance and claimed she understood less about him than nearly any other reporter assigned to cover him. He additionally accused her of being a scammer.
The president said the journalist had invented the account that he was avoiding the World Trade Center ceremony in New York City because officials would not permit him to speak, while going to the Pentagon in D.C. because he would be a featured speaker there.
Trump characterized the report as another example of corrupt news. He said he had attended events in New York many times through the years, noted that speakers are not normally featured and emphasized that the gathering is intended to remain solemn.
He added that he would actually prefer not to deliver an address because he already speaks so frequently. Trump said the day should instead be devoted to remembering the victims and their beloved family members.
