President Donald Trump on Tuesday recounted a dramatic moment from the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, claiming that two firefighters carried him away from an area near Ground Zero due to fears of a nearby building collapse. The president made the remarks during a White House event honoring first responders and victims of the attacks, held ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Trump’s account described a chaotic scene in Lower Manhattan as rescue and recovery operations unfolded. He stated that he had brought construction workers to Ground Zero shortly after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers and recalled officials warning of a potential collapse of the U.S. Steel Building—now known as One Liberty Plaza—a 54-story office tower that sustained damage but remained standing. Trump said the building was "creaking" and that firefighters lifted him under the arms and ran with him to safety, despite his protestations that he could run on his own. The White House did not provide documentation or additional evidence to corroborate the account.
Geographic and temporal context remains a point of contention. Multiple sources note that Trump was miles away from the World Trade Center during the initial attack and subsequent events on September 11, 2001. The White House acknowledged in an email that not all of Trump’s actions as a private citizen at the time were documented, while spokesperson Davis Ingle criticized media coverage of the remarks as an attempt to "attack" the president.
Details of the Account
Trump’s narrative included several specific claims:
- He was at Ground Zero with a group of construction workers shortly after the attacks.
- The U.S. Steel Building (One Liberty Plaza) was creaking and feared to collapse.
- Two firefighters lifted him and ran with him to safety.
- The scene was described as "raw" and unprecedented, with no hesitation from those present.
The White House did not provide further details or evidence when asked by reporters to substantiate the claims. Ingle later stated that Trump was "relaying his experience of a city reeling immediately after" the attacks and accused the media of attempting to undermine the president’s tribute to first responders.
Historical Context and Evolving Narratives
Trump’s remarks mark the latest iteration of his public recollections of 9/11, a tragedy that unfolded in his hometown of New York City. Over the years, his accounts of his presence and actions during and after the attacks have varied, with some versions including details not supported by contemporaneous records or geographic proximity. The 25th anniversary of the attacks has prompted renewed scrutiny of these narratives, as well as broader reflections on the legacy of 9/11 and its impact on American society.
Reactions and Responses
The White House’s response to inquiries about the account emphasized Trump’s role in honoring first responders and framed media questioning as an attempt to discredit the president. No additional evidence or clarification was provided regarding the specifics of the firefighters’ alleged actions or the timing of the events described. Independent reporting has noted discrepancies between Trump’s claims and documented accounts of his whereabouts on September 11, 2001.
Background on One Liberty Plaza
The U.S. Steel Building, now known as One Liberty Plaza, is located approximately 0.3 miles north of the World Trade Center site. While it sustained damage from debris during the attacks, it did not collapse and remained structurally sound. The building’s creaking sounds were widely reported in the aftermath of 9/11 due to the impact of the attacks and subsequent recovery efforts, but there is no record of a near-collapse scenario involving the structure during that period.