Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Trump’s 9/11 Rescue Claim Revived Debate at White House
Donald Trump told a story about what happened to him after the September 11 attacks.
He said two firefighters helped him leave a dangerous place.
Some rescue officials and witnesses have questioned parts of his story.
Trump has also said he helped workers at Ground Zero after the attacks.
The attacks killed 2,977 people.
Trump made his latest comments at a White House ceremony honoring emergency responders.
He plans to attend a ceremony at the Pentagon instead of the main event in New York.
At the ceremony, he honored the family of firefighter Welles Crowther.
Crowther was remembered for helping people escape while wearing a red bandana.
Donald Trump said two firefighters pulled him to safety near an unstable building after the September 11 attacks.
Rescue officials and people present at Ground Zero have disputed parts of Trump’s broader account of his actions after the attacks.
Trump made the remarks at a White House event honoring emergency personnel killed on September 11.
He will attend a commemoration at the Pentagon rather than the main Ground Zero ceremony in New York.
Trump presented the highest US civilian honor to the family of firefighter Welles Crowther, known as the “man in the red bandana.”
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, firefighters, rescue officials, emergency responders, and the family of firefighter Welles Crowther.
- What
- Trump repeated a claim that two firefighters rescued him after the September 11 attacks, prompting renewed debate over his account.
- When
- Trump made the remarks on Tuesday, ahead of the 25th-anniversary commemorations of the attacks.
- Where
- At a White House event on the Ellipse in Washington, where a steel beam from the World Trade Center’s South Tower was displayed.
- Why
- The event honored emergency personnel killed in the attacks, while Trump’s comments also addressed his disputed account of actions after September 11 and his decision to attend the Pentagon ceremony.
Skeptical Accounts
Trump’s Account
Whether Trump was rescued
Skeptical Accounts
Rescue officials and people present at Ground Zero have disputed parts of Trump’s description of his actions after the attacks, and critics have challenged the specific rescue claim.
Trump’s Account
Trump said two large firefighters grabbed him under the arms and moved him to safety because they feared a building was about to collapse.
Trump’s post-attack role
Skeptical Accounts
Reports by CNN and The New York Times cited people at the site who disputed Trump’s claims that he visited Ground Zero two days later and sent 100 workers to help with recovery.
Trump’s Account
Trump has repeatedly said he visited Ground Zero shortly after the attacks and took his construction crew there to assist.
Choice of commemoration site
Skeptical Accounts
Critics said Trump’s absence from New York keeps him away from the main Ground Zero commemoration and linked the decision to concerns about his role at the memorial.
Trump’s Account
Trump and the White House denied that he chose the Pentagon because he was barred from speaking at the New York memorial, saying the Ground Zero ceremony is solemn and does not feature speeches.
- Attacks’ death toll
- 2,977 people were killed in the September 11 attacks.
- Trump’s claim
- Trump said two firefighters pulled him away from a location he feared might collapse.
- Dispute
- Rescue officials and people present at Ground Zero have disputed parts of Trump’s account.
- Upcoming ceremony
- Trump is scheduled to attend a September 11 ceremony at the Pentagon rather than the main Ground Zero ceremony in New York.
- Honoree
- Welles Crowther, a volunteer firefighter who died helping people escape the South Tower, was honored posthumously through his family.
- Crowther’s nickname
- Survivors remembered Crowther as the “man in the red bandana.”
- Other scheduled travel
- Trump is also scheduled to travel to Ireland for the Irish Open golf tournament at his family’s golf course.