President Donald Trump launched a sharp public rebuke of The New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman on Friday, accusing her of fabricating a story about his plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon rather than at Ground Zero in New York City. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump referred to Haberman as a “fake reporter,” a “scammer,” and a “stalker,” while also mocking her appearance, calling her “unattractive.” He dismissed the report as “corrupt news” and claimed it was based on false claims that officials had blocked him from delivering a speech at the World Trade Center site. According to the New York Times, Trump had initially intended to attend the annual ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan but changed his mind due to logistical considerations. The report stated that organizers had refused to allow him to make a speech at the Ground Zero event, which has historically prohibited political speeches. The Times noted that Trump had previously participated in such commemorations in New York, including events at Ground Zero. The report also mentioned that Trump’s upcoming travel plans, including a trip to Ireland the following day, played a role in his decision to hold the ceremony at the Pentagon, where he could address attendees. In response to the report, the White House denied its accuracy, with Communications Director Steven Cheung labeling it “FAKE NEWS” on X. A senior administration official also called the report “false” but declined to provide further clarification. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly issued a statement emphasizing that Trump, as a “proud New Yorker,” would “remember those who were killed at the hands of evil terrorists, honor their loved ones, and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans.” She did not confirm whether Trump would actually speak at the Pentagon event. Trump’s criticism of Haberman extended beyond the report itself. In his social media post, he threatened a new lawsuit against The New York Times and the organization responsible for awarding the Pulitzer Prize, citing past controversies involving Haberman’s coverage of the Russia investigation. He wrote, “Maggot [sic] Hagerman is a PHONY, and The New York Times knows it! It will all be revealed in the lawsuit against them, and another lawsuit against the organization which gives out the now discredited Pulitzer Prize, because Maggie got one for her ‘reporting’ on THE RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA HOAX, which turned out to be a total CON JOB!” This incident marks yet another instance of Trump’s tendency to target female journalists, often focusing on their physical appearance or demeanor when they challenge him. Earlier this year, he criticized CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins for her appearance during a question about the Epstein files, calling her “the worst reporter” and noting that he had “never seen [her] smile.” At the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, he again singled out Collins, commenting on her attractiveness before instructing her to smile more. This behavior aligns with a broader pattern of Trump’s rhetoric, which has included attacks on other female figures in the media, such as MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski and Fox News host Megyn Kelly. The decision to hold the 9/11 commemoration at the Pentagon rather than Ground Zero has drawn attention to the logistics of Trump’s schedule. According to the Times, the change was influenced by the fact that Trump has not been permitted to deliver speeches at the Ground Zero event since 2012. Additionally, the timing of his travel plans, including a trip to Ireland, made holding the ceremony in Washington more convenient. Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent Trump in New York, while other administration officials will attend ceremonies at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. Other high-profile figures are also expected to participate in the commemorations. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are anticipated to be in attendance in New York, as is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former First Lady Laura Bush. These gatherings underscore the continued significance of the 9/11 tragedy in shaping political discourse and national memory.
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