During a commemorative event on the National Mall ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, President Donald Trump shared a personal recollection of the day’s chaos. He said two firefighters, described as “big, strong guys,” spotted him near the U.S. Steel Building – a short distance from Ground Zero – and, fearing the nearby structure might collapse, lifted him under the arms and ran with him to safety.
President’s account
“I’ll never forget two firemen, we thought it was coming down on top of us,” Trump said, adding that he is “not the smallest guy in the world” but the firefighters still helped him. “They literally lifted me up. This is not easy to do. I’m big. They lifted me up, and they started running with me. I said, ‘Fellas, I can run myself.’ But they were amazing. They thought it was coming down,” he recalled.
Trump clarified that he was “down there right after this happened” and later posted on Truth Social that he was not at the World Trade Center “on the same day as the collapse, but shortly thereafter.” He asserted that his remarks were “exactly accurate.”
White House response
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle emphasized that the president was relaying his experience of a city reeling “immediately after and in the days and weeks after the horrific attacks.” Ingle placed the president’s story within the broader narrative of first‑responder bravery and community resilience that defined the aftermath of 9/11.
Historical context of the president’s 9/11 statements
President Trump has spoken about his proximity to the attacks on several occasions. In a 2016 New Hampshire campaign stop, he first told the firefighter story. He has also claimed to have watched the second plane strike the South Tower from his Midtown Manhattan apartment and to have helped clear rubble on September 12, working with construction crews.
Critics have noted that many of these claims lack independent verification. Fact‑checkers have pointed out that Trump’s apartment was approximately four miles from Ground Zero, and that no contemporaneous records confirm his presence at the site on September 11. Nonetheless, the president’s narrative underscores his personal connection to the tragedy and his admiration for the first responders who risked their lives.
Reactions from observers
Media analysts have described the president’s retelling as part of a broader effort to align himself with the heroism of firefighters and other emergency personnel. Some commentators, such as those from independent news outlets, have questioned the timing and specifics of the rescue, noting that the president’s timeline differs from established accounts of the day’s events.
Supporters, however, argue that the story highlights the courage of New York’s fire service and reinforces the president’s longstanding respect for first responders – a theme that has resonated with many American families who value service, faith, and patriotism.
Looking ahead
As the nation prepares to honor the victims and heroes of September 11, President Trump’s remarks add a personal dimension to the remembrance. The administration continues to emphasize support for first‑responder families, including proposals to strengthen benefits for those who served during the attacks.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
