Trump to mark 9/11 anniversary at Pentagon

US President Donald Trump said Friday he would mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks at the Pentagon, not at the New York memorial where the Twin Towers stood.

Trump denied a New York Times report that he had originally planned to speak in New York but changed course because memorial organizers do not allow speeches.

Asked by reporters why he was not going to New York for the anniversary, Trump said: “Because I'm going to the Pentagon.” When asked why he could not attend both locations, he repeated the answer.

The White House told AFP that Vice President JD Vance was “still traveling” to New York and said administration officials would attend all three sites. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump would remember those killed, honor their loved ones and pay tribute to first responders.

The September 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people. Hijackers from Al-Qaeda crashed two airliners into the Twin Towers in New York and a third into the Pentagon near Washington, while a fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers revolted.