Trump Bails on 9/11 Ceremony for Trumpiest of Reasons

Mike Segar / REUTERS President Donald Trump reportedly plans to bypass a ceremony in New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks after being told he could not make a speech.

Trump, 80, had his team perform advance site visits to Manhattan’s National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the memorial space where the Twin Towers once stood, two people with knowledge of the events told The New York Times .

However, since 2012, politicians have not been allowed to deliver speeches at anniversary events at the site known as Ground Zero, with the museum explaining that the rule was intended to ensure that attendees could focus on “honoring the victims and their families in a way free of politics.” The Times claimed Trump’s interest in speaking at Ground Zero on Sept.

11 had been conveyed to memorial planners in recent weeks, according to three sources.

According to two sources, the president will now mark the solemn anniversary at the Pentagon, which was also attacked on Sept.

11, 2001.

A total of 2,996 people were killed during the attacks that day—including the 19 hijackers.

Trump will head to the Pentagon following a midterm political convention in Dallas.

The Times said administration officials may possibly pay tribute to 9/11 victims during the Republican Party’s convention, which runs on Sept.

9 and 10.

The president is due to fly out to his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, on Sept.

12 for the Irish Open tournament, which runs between Sept.

10 and 13.

The publication notes that flying out from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland would be quicker than leaving from New York or New Jersey, where air and motor traffic is more congested.