Trump's 9/11 story draws fresh scrutiny as US President skips Ground Zero for 25th anniversary ceremony

Speaking at a White House event on Tuesday honouring emergency personnel who died during the attacks, Trump recalled what he described as a frightening moment following the collapse of the World Trade Centre.

“And I'll never forget,” Trump said. “We thought it was coming down on top of us, and two firemen, big strong guys — and I'm not the smallest guy in the world — they grabbed me under the arm, said, ‘Got to get out of here!’”

The account has added to longstanding scrutiny over Trump's descriptions of his actions in New York following the attacks, with US media reports noting that rescue officials who were present at the time have disputed parts of his recollections.

Fresh focus on Trump’s 9/11 account

Trump's latest remarks have become another chapter in an account he has repeatedly shared over the years about his activities after the attacks.

His recollections have often portrayed him as personally involved in the recovery effort at Ground Zero, including claims that he travelled to the site and helped provide workers for the operation.

Two days after the attacks, Trump told reporters that he had visited Ground Zero and sent 100 workers to assist with the recovery effort.

However, CNN and The New York Times later reported that people who were at the site disputed his account.

The latest version of events came as a steel beam recovered from the South Tower was displayed at the White House Ellipse during Tuesday's event.

Trump recalled the morning of September 11 as a “beautiful morning” before describing watching the unfolding attacks from his property.

He said he received a television news alert and then looked out of his window, where he saw “things that I never want to see again”.

Trump to mark anniversary at Pentagon

Trump's latest comments have also come amid attention over his decision not to attend the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero in New York.

The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people after Al-Qaeda hijackers crashed passenger aircraft into the World Trade Centre towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

Instead of travelling to New York for the main anniversary commemoration, Trump is scheduled to mark the anniversary at the Pentagon in Washington on Friday, one of the sites targeted during the attacks.

Vice President JD Vance and Trump's living predecessors — Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George Bush — are expected to attend the Ground Zero ceremony.

Trump's absence from New York represents a departure from his longstanding connection with the city's 9/11 narrative, particularly given his earlier claims about his involvement in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

9/11 Memorial: remembering the lives lost, the heroes who responded, and the enduring spirit of hope. File Photo: Sujoy Dhar/IBNS

White House rejects speech claims

Trump and the White House have strongly rejected reports suggesting that he chose the Pentagon because he was not permitted to speak at the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York.

Trump addressed the issue on Truth Social last week, calling the reports “Corrupt News” and arguing that the Ground Zero ceremony traditionally does not involve political speeches.

“This is more Corrupt News, I've been to New York many times over the years, and no one ever speaks; it's a ‘solemn ceremony!’” Trump wrote.

His decision to attend the Pentagon comes as other senior political figures prepare to gather at Ground Zero to remember those killed and honour the emergency responders who worked during the attacks and their aftermath.

Trump clarifies Ground Zero claim

Following Tuesday's White House event, Trump issued a lengthy post on Truth Social in which he sought to clarify his account of when he visited Ground Zero.

“I was there, obviously not on the same day as the collapse, but shortly thereafter, with a large group of Construction Workers,” Trump wrote.

He added, “I was there as soon as the Law allowed,” while accusing journalists of spreading what he described as “fake news”.

The clarification came as Trump's decision to remain away from Ground Zero for the 25th anniversary placed renewed focus on his past claims about his presence and activities in the aftermath of the attacks.

Later on Friday, Trump is scheduled to travel to Ireland, where he is expected to attend the Irish Open golf tournament at his family's golf course over the weekend.