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Trump says he’ll visit Pentagon, rather than Ground Zero, for 9/11 ceremony
United States🏛️ PoliticsLean Conservative9/3/2026

Trump says he’ll visit Pentagon, rather than Ground Zero, for 9/11 ceremony

President Donald Trump announced he will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., rather than the Ground Zero memorial in New York City. This decision contrasts with his previous attendance at Ground Zero in 2024, where he participated alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. The New York Times first reported that Trump initially intended to visit New York City but changed plans after being barred from speaking during the Ground Zero event, which typically does not allow speeches. The White House has dismissed this report as 'fake news,' with Communications Director Steven Cheung labeling it as such on X. Trump's choice to hold the ceremony at the Pentagon has sparked discussion about his priorities and connection to the events of 9/11, particularly given his history of skipping Ground Zero ceremonies in favor of other locations.

President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by publicly criticizing New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman over a report detailing his plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon rather than at Ground Zero in New York City. On Friday, Trump labeled Haberman a “fake reporter” and accused her of fabricating the story, while also mocking her appearance, calling her “unattractive” and labeling her a “scammer” and a “stalker.” His remarks came after the Times published a report suggesting Trump would not attend the traditional ceremony in Manhattan due to logistical constraints and scheduling conflicts. According to the report, Trump had initially intended to participate in the Ground Zero ceremony but changed his mind after officials stated that public figures would not be allowed to make speeches during the event, a restriction that has been in place since 2012. The Times noted that Trump’s decision to hold the ceremony at the Pentagon allows him to address attendees directly, a factor that may have influenced his choice. Additionally, the report mentioned that Trump’s upcoming travel plans, including a trip to Ireland, played a role in the decision, as departing from Washington, D.C., is more convenient than leaving New York. In response to the report, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to denounce the story. He wrote, “I never even thought of what Maggot [sic] made up, and besides, I would love not to speak, because I’m speaking all the time, and this is a day to remember the victims, and their beautiful family members.” He also threatened a new lawsuit against the Times, accusing it of publishing false information and linking the report to past controversies involving the publication, such as its coverage of the Russia investigation. Trump further targeted the Pulitzer Prize, which Haberman has received, calling it “discredited.” 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, Trump criticized CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for her expression 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, Trump again focused on Collins’ looks, commenting that she was a “young, attractive woman” before urging her to smile. This pattern extends back to Trump’s first term, when he attacked MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski, calling her “low I.Q. Crazy Mika,” and made unsubstantiated claims about her medical history. The Times’ report also highlighted that Trump will not be in New York for the anniversary, with Vice President JD Vance expected to represent him there. Other high-profile figures, including former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Laura Bush, are anticipated to attend the New York ceremony. Meanwhile, Trump will participate in the Pentagon’s event, where he can deliver a speech, and other officials will attend the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. The White House has dismissed the Times’ report as “fake news,” with Communications Director Steven Cheung calling it so on X. A senior administration official also described the report as “false” but declined to provide additional details. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly reiterated that Trump, a native of New York, has always honored the victims of 9/11 and emphasized that the ceremony will focus on remembrance and tribute. She noted that Trump attended the Ground Zero ceremony in 2024 and had previously participated in similar events in New York in 2016 and 2021. As the anniversary approaches, tensions between the administration and the press continue to escalate, with Trump leveraging his legal strategies to counter criticism. The situation underscores ongoing challenges in media relations under his presidency, particularly regarding the treatment of journalists and the handling of sensitive historical commemorations.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 5 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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ABC News (US) logoABC News (US)IndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 858/28/2026
Trump says he will observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon

President Donald Trump announced his intention to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon rather than at Ground Zero in New York. The White House stated that Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York observance, while other administration officials will participate in the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attack, carried out by al-Qaida militants, resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and significantly altered U.S. foreign policy and national security strategies. Trump, who hails from New York, previously attended the Ground Zero ceremony in 2024. Last year, he held a Pentagon event where he shared personal anecdotes about the day. Vance had initially planned to be in New York for the 2025 anniversary but traveled to Salt Lake City following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Trump’s commemoration plans without overtly endorsing or criticizing his choice. It includes both his decision to hold the event at the Pentagon and mentions alternative locations, such as New York and Shanksville. While the subject involves a high-stak

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports Trump's announcement about holding the 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon, citing the Associated Press as the source. It includes relevant background about previous commemorations and mentions the White House's response. It aligns closely with the primary source document an

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting facts without emotional language or obvious bias. It quotes Trump directly and includes the White House's position without favoring one over the other, keeping the focus on the event itself.

NBC News logoNBC NewsIndependentConservativeFactual 90Objective 758/29/2026
Trump says he’ll visit Pentagon, rather than Ground Zero, for 9/11 ceremony

President Donald Trump announced he will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., rather than the Ground Zero memorial in New York City. This decision contrasts with his previous attendance at Ground Zero in 2024, where he participated alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. The New York Times first reported that Trump initially intended to visit New York City but changed plans after being barred from speaking during the Ground Zero event, which typically does not allow speeches. The White House has dismissed this report as 'fake news,' with Communications Director Steven Cheung labeling it as such on X. Trump's choice to hold the ceremony at the Pentagon has sparked discussion about his priorities and connection to the events of 9/11, particularly given his history of skipping Ground Zero ceremonies in favor of other locations.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames Trump's decision to attend the Pentagon ceremony as a strategic choice, emphasizing his absence from Ground Zero while highlighting his past visits to other locations like the Pentagon and a Yankees game. The tone suggests a focus on Trump's personal preferences and political prag

Why factuality (90): The article provides accurate information about Trump's decision to hold the 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon, citing the New York Times report and the White House's denial. It includes quotes from Trump and mentions the involvement of other officials like JD Vance. It aligns closely with the primary s

Why objectivity (75): While the article presents Trump's statements and the White House's response, it maintains a relatively neutral tone by quoting both sides. However, it slightly leans toward portraying the White House's denial as more credible, though not overtly biased.

Newsweek logoNewsweekIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 608/29/2026
Trump Attacks 'Unattractive' New York Times Reporter Over 9/11 Speech Story

President Donald Trump criticized New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman for reporting that he plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon instead of Ground Zero in New York City. Trump referred to Haberman as 'unattractive,' called her a 'scammer' and 'stalker,' and labeled the report 'corrupt news.' He denied planning to avoid New York due to restrictions on speeches at Ground Zero, stating the event is meant to honor victims and their families. According to the Times, Trump is expected to attend the Pentagon ceremony, where he might give a speech, while Vice President JD Vance and several former presidents are anticipated to attend the New York event. Trump also hinted at potential legal action against Haberman and the New York Times, citing past disputes over media coverage.

Bias read (Conservative): The article presents Trump’s personal attack on a journalist, using derogatory terms like 'unattractive,' 'scammer,' and 'stalker,' alongside accusations of fabrication. The framing emphasizes Trump’s criticism of the media and his defense of his actions, with minimal counterbalance or contextual nu

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that Trump criticized Maggie Haberman for her reporting on his 9/11 commemoration plans, including calling her 'unattractive' and 'scammer.' It cites the New York Times report as the source and mentions the White House's response. However, it omits details about the Wh

Why objectivity (60): The article presents Trump's comments in a way that emphasizes his criticism of the reporter, using emotionally charged language like 'personal attack' and 'fake reporter,' which suggests a biased tone toward Trump's behavior rather than presenting both sides neutrally.

CBS News (US) logoCBS News (US)IndependentConservativeFactual 80Objective 658/28/2026
Trump says he'll visit Pentagon, not NYC, to mark 25 years since 9/11

President Donald Trump announced he will not attend the 25th-anniversary commemorations of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, instead choosing to participate at the Pentagon. This decision follows his previous pattern of attending memorials at different locations, such as the Pentagon and Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. The White House stated that Vice President JD Vance will represent the administration in New York, with officials present at all three major memorial sites. Trump, a native of Queens, last attended the Ground Zero ceremony in 2024 but skipped the 2025 event despite attending a baseball game in the city. Former leaders, including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, and Laura Bush, have confirmed their participation in the New York ceremony.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames Trump's choice to commemorate at the Pentagon rather than Ground Zero as a personal decision, emphasizing his 'proud New Yorker' identity and his history of visiting different memorial sites. While it presents facts neutrally, the emphasis on Trump's absence from NYC and his past

Why factuality (80): The article accurately reports that Trump will hold the 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon and mentions the White House's response. However, it cuts off mid-sentence in the final paragraph, leaving some context incomplete. It references the New York Times report and includes quotes from Trump, but lacks

Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'horrific events' and 'evil terrorists' when quoting the White House spokesperson, which introduces a slight bias. It also frames the situation in a way that may imply the White House's position is more legitimate, despite being presented as a qu

The Hill logoThe HillIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 659/3/2026
Biden to attend Ground Zero 9/11 memorial ceremony for 25th anniversary

Former President Joe Biden will attend the 25th anniversary commemorative ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to NewsNation. The event will include former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, along with past first ladies and other officials. Unlike Biden, President Donald Trump will hold a separate ceremony at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, as well as a White House event on Sept. 8 to honor first responders. Trump has claimed he was barred from giving a speech at Ground Zero, a claim he denies, while the National September 11 Memorial and Museum has prohibited political speeches there since 2012. Trump criticized The New York Times for reporting on this issue, calling one of its reporters a 'Fake Reporter.' He is set to speak at the RNC convention before traveling abroad.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about presidential attendance at 9/11 commemorations without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on both Biden's participation and Trump's alternative plans, including Trump's allegations of being barred from speaking at Ground Zero. While the article is,

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the number of casualties from the 9/11 attacks as 2,977, matching the primary source document. It provides context about the locations affected and mentions the planned attendance of former presidents. However, it includes speculative information about Trump's reasons

Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat biased towards criticizing Trump's decision not to attend the Ground Zero ceremony, particularly through the mention of him calling a reporter a 'Fake Reporter.' This suggests an editorial stance rather than a purely objective reporting.

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