During a White House ceremony honoring emergency responders who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks, President Donald Trump recounted an incident in which two firefighters purportedly lifted him to safety near a collapsing building. Speaking at the event on September 25, Trump described being guided away from danger by "two firemen, big strong guys" who grabbed him under the arms amid the chaos.

This account marks a continuation of a narrative Trump has shared over the years, portraying himself as actively involved at Ground Zero following the attacks. Variations of this story have featured him escorting workers through the disaster site, though officials present during the rescue efforts have disputed these claims, questioning the accuracy of Trump’s version of events.

The comments come as Trump faces criticism for his absence from New York City’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the attacks, which claimed 2,977 lives. Instead of attending the primary memorial at the World Trade Center, Trump is slated to pay respects at the Pentagon in Washington, where another attack occurred that day.

Trump and the White House have strongly denied reports that he opted for the Pentagon event after being denied a speaking role at New York’s ceremony. Addressing the matter via his Truth Social platform, Trump commented that he has attended ceremonies in New York multiple times previously and that "no one ever speaks" at these solemn observances.

Despite these assurances, the decision places the 80-year-old former New Yorker away from the central site of remembrance. Vice President JD Vance is set to represent the administration at the New York event alongside Trump’s four living predecessors—Democrats Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Republican George W. Bush, who was president during the attacks. The array of leaders underscores the continuing gravity and national unity surrounding the occasion.