Video of Trump bragging about the height of Trump Tower in aftermath of 9/11 resurfaces
Thiis time last year, on the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Centre and Pentagon, which claimed over 3,000 lives, a clip that president Trump would rather forget was widely re-shared.
In the hours following shocking the collapse of the Twin Towers on 11 September 2001, New Jersey’s local TV channel WWOR had Donald Trump on the line.
At this time, Trump was primarily known as a real-estate owner. He was asked about one of his own buildings situated near the World Trade Centre site, to which he responded by bragging about the size of his property.
Trump said:
40 Wall Street actually was the second tallest building in downtown Manhattan, and it was actually, before the World Trade Centre, was the tallest. And then, when they built the World Trade Centre, it became known as the second tallest.
And now it’s the tallest.
I have a window that looks directly at the World Trade Centre, and I saw this huge explosion. I really couldn’t even believe it.
Now, I’m looking at absolutely nothing. It’s just gone. It’s just hard to believe.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s response to the tragedy has raised eyebrows. Earlier this year, he was criticised for claiming to be a 9/11 first responder.
During the 2016 election campaign, he falsely claimed that he saw Muslims celebrating the attack.
He was also widely criticised for editing a clip of Muslim congresswoman Ilhan Omar to insinuate that she approved of the attacks.
Marking the 18 anniversary of the attack, people shared the president’s reactions. Many view it as a damning indictment of his character.
A year later, as Trump approaches another election, it seems appropriate to remember.