25th anniversary of 9/11 marked as Trump seeks political gain

The United States marked 25 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed 2,977 people when al-Qaeda hijackers crashed four commercial airliners into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. Ceremonies at Ground Zero followed the longstanding tradition of allowing only victims' family members to speak, excluding political figures.

Former President Donald Trump, facing low approval ratings amid the Iran war and upcoming November elections, sought a prominent speaking role at the Ground Zero memorial. Organizers declined, citing the unwritten rule that preserves the ceremony for victims' relatives. Trump instead held a separate event at the Pentagon where he praised the war in Persia and his administration's global achievements.

“The organizers did not let him turn the memorial ceremony into a pre-election fiesta.”

Vice President J.D. Vance stood silently alongside former presidents Biden, Obama, Clinton, and George W. Bush at the main Ground Zero ceremony. The attacks began at 8:46 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower, followed 17 minutes later by United Airlines Flight 175 hitting the South Tower. Both towers collapsed within hours.

American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., while United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control. The attacks transformed U.S. security, aviation, and foreign policy for decades, launching the Global War on Terror.