As the nation marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, President Donald Trump once again drew scrutiny for centering himself in commemorations of the tragedy. During a recent event honoring first responders and victims, Trump claimed to have visited Ground Zero immediately after the attacks and recounted an unverified story about firefighters rescuing him from a building he believed was collapsing. No evidence supports either account.
Trump’s self-focused remarks extended to his comments about Welles Crowther, a World Trade Center worker who died saving others during the attacks. After posthumously awarding Crowther the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Trump expressed frustration that the deceased rescuer had become more famous than himself. The president also dismissed reporting about his initial plans to commemorate 9/11 at Ground Zero, attacking the journalist who covered the story.
Trump’s complicated relationship with September 11th dates back to the morning of the attacks themselves. During a phone interview, he highlighted how the collapse of the World Trade Center made his 40 Wall Street building the tallest in downtown Manhattan. Though his building sustained no damage, Trump later accepted federal recovery funds designated for area businesses, justifying the decision by claiming he had provided significant assistance to others.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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