Trump to skip 9/11 Ground Zero ceremony over speech restrictions, plans Pentagon tribute: Report

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is not expected to attend the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City this year, according to a report by The New York Times, which cited four people familiar with the president’s plans.

Trump had initially indicated that he would be attending the September 11 ceremony. However, the president is now expected to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragic attacks at the Pentagon, while his schedule also includes a trip to Ireland immediately afterward.

Trump expressed interest in speaking at Ground Zero ceremony

According to the report, Trump’s team conducted advance visits to the Ground Zero site after the president initially signaled that he planned to attend the 9/11 ceremony. Three people familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that the president had expressed interest in speaking at the Manhattan event in recent weeks.  

That request was, however, declined because elected officials have been barred from speaking at the Ground Zero ceremony since 2012. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, which oversees the site, has maintained that the policy is part of an effort to keep the ceremony completely nonpartisan and centered only on the family members of those killed. 

The annual ceremony traditionally includes six moments of silence marking key moments during the 9/11 attacks, including when the World Trade Center towers were struck and collapsed, as well as the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Family members then read the names of their loved ones who died.

The memorial said in a statement that Trump remains welcome to attend. "Elected officials of both parties have borne witness to this solemn occasion over the years, and we have been honored that every living President, including President Trump, has attended. Of course, President Trump is always welcome,” the statement said.

Vice President JD Vance is now expected to attend the ceremony on behalf of the White House, according to the report. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush, and Barack Obama, along with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former first lady Laura Bush, are also expected to attend. Trump last attended a Ground Zero anniversary ceremony in 2024.

Trump expected at Pentagon before Ireland trip

Trump is instead expected to mark the anniversary at the Pentagon, where he delivered remarks for the anniversary last year. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told the outlet that the president in his speech "will remember those who were killed, honor their loved ones, and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans."

The 80-year-old's schedule also includes the Republican Party’s two-day midterm convention in Dallas on September 9 and 10. Officials have discussed incorporating a 9/11 tribute into the convention, according to the report.

Trump is scheduled to leave for Ireland on September 12, where he is expected to meet with US Embassy employees and business leaders before attending the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg.