In the latest criticism of Trump’s statesmanship as a former Potus, questions have been raised over the Republican’s tribute to the victims of 9/11 – as he failed to appear alongside former presidents in New York City to mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack which killed 2,977 people.
Ex-presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama – along with their respective partners – were photographed next to current president Joe Biden at Ground Zero on Saturday, as they paid their respects to those killed in the atrocity on 11 September 2001.
Former president George W Bush and Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, attended a memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a monument is erected in memory of those who died on board United Airlines Flight 93. The hijacked plane – one of four taken over by terrorists that day – crashed in the US state after passengers and crew attempted to regain control of the flight.
Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in the World Trade Center, which later collapsed, with another hitting the Pentagon, home to the US Department of Defence.
While Biden, on Friday, said that togetherness was seen in “heroism everywhere”, and that that is the “central lesson of 11 September”, Trump released a video about the anniversary in which he has criticised his successor’s handling of Afghanistan.
“For the great people of our country, this is a very sad day. September the 11th represents great sorrow for our country. Many things were displayed that day, including most importantly, our police, fire and first responders of every kind.
Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter ‘The Viral Democracy’
“The job they did was truly unbelievable. We love them, and we thank them,” he said.
The businessman went on to add that it was “also a sad time” that the Afghanistan war ended earlier this month, saying that “the leader of our country was made to look like a fool”.
“This is the 20th year of this war, and should have been a year of victory, and honour, and strength. Instead, Joe Biden and his inept administration surrendered in defeat.”
With the former Apprentice star making no physical appearance at a 9/11 ceremony, Twitter users began to ask about the politician’s whereabouts on such an anniversary. The phrase “Where is Trump” trended on the social media platform on Saturday:
So glad to see the Bidens, the Obamas, and the Clintons honoring America's fallen on today's solemn anniversary, an… https://t.co/E9ssbDTt50— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1631370588
President Biden, Obama and Clinton in New York attending 9/11 memorial events Where is Trump? #September11… https://t.co/pfZXMK970D— Alicia Smith 💙🌊🌊 #FBR (@Alicia Smith 💙🌊🌊 #FBR) 1631366707
Where is Trump? Where he has always been in the moments adult leadership has been needed: nonexistent. https://t.co/tymVhqXG6X— John Pavlovitz (@John Pavlovitz) 1631368421
"Where is Trump?" TRUMP: Where is everyone? https://t.co/WATF39nPHp— Mr. Newberger (@Mr. Newberger) 1631368523
Oh, where is Trump? Probably busy eating cheeseburgers and sipping a Diet Coke, in his dressing gown https://t.co/SZEBpMo50Q— Mike P Williams (@Mike P Williams) 1631367787
Why are people asking where is Trump? He’s a selfish disgrace of a man who would only take this somber day and make… https://t.co/qnsh1UvL1X— Thrillhouse (@Thrillhouse) 1631367667
The answer, it seems, may lie in the fact that he’s due to host a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort in Florida.
He’s also due to be joined by his son, Donald Trump Jr, for the fight, with the latter saying in a Twitter video that he will push his father on the “burning question” about the secretive US base, Area 51.
The biggest fight of the year this Saturday. My Dad - President Trump- & I, are commentating and we’re going to hav… https://t.co/t7YBaoIAXt— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1631320392
Although it’s not known whether Trump ditched the ceremony for the bout, his decision to be a boxing commentator on such a “solemn” day has been met with fury by people online:
Question: Where is Trump during the 9/11 anniversary ceremony? Answer: Preparing to do commentary for a boxing mat… https://t.co/3vMNPno1HO— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1631367978
How America's former presidents will commemorate the 9/11 anniversary... President Bush- Keynote speaker at Flight… https://t.co/1cL5yLELOV— Burner Phone Chronicles (@Burner Phone Chronicles) 1631369059
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11: President Joe Biden will travel to all three sites of the terrorist attacks — New… https://t.co/CLQzOrjGa7— The Lincoln Project (@The Lincoln Project) 1631133206
Trump and his idiot bastard son are calling a boxing match on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. No further comment. https://t.co/O064bVnjOj— Dr. Jeffrey Guterman (@Dr. Jeffrey Guterman) 1631112996
Trump coming back to host a boxing match on 9/11 ... https://t.co/eosrk4agMk— cryptic incognito (@cryptic incognito) 1631140928
Presidents Biden, Obama, & Clinton are in NYC honoring the fallen victims of 9/11. President Bush is in PA doing t… https://t.co/xuFJW8W9mD— The USA Singers (@The USA Singers) 1631372538
Former presidents today: Bush: Speaking at Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. Obama: Attending 9/11 cerem… https://t.co/8lfY2zDHn5— Augie Ray (@Augie Ray) 1631368633
It isn’t the only criticism being thrown at Trump during the anniversary, after video footage resurfaced of the businessman’s response to the Twin Towers falling on a local news channel.
“40 Wall Street [the Trump Building] actually was the second tallest building in downtown Manhattan, and it was actually, before the World Trade Center, was the tallest. And then, when they built the World Trade Center, it became known as the second tallest.
“And now it’s the tallest,” he said.