Trump's Latest 9/11 Account: Firefighters 'Lifted Me Up'

Former President Donald Trump recently offered a new detail regarding his experience after the September 11, 2001, attacks, claiming two firefighters “literally lifted” him to safety. Speaking at a White House event honoring emergency personnel, Trump described being near an unstable building when the alleged incident occurred. This account is the latest in a series of evolving narratives from Trump concerning his involvement in the aftermath of 9/11.

The Latest 9/11 Account

Trump recounted that he was near a building he believed was at risk of collapse. He stated, “And I’ll never forget, we thought it was coming down on top of us, and two firemen, big strong guys — and I’m not the smallest guy in the world — they grabbed me under the arm, said, ‘Got to get out of here!’”

He continued, “And they literally lifted me up. This is not easy to do. I’m big. They lifted me up and they started running with me. I said, ‘Fellas, I can run myself.’”

An Evolving Narrative

This latest claim adds to Trump’s long-standing and often-disputed accounts of his actions following the 9/11 attacks. Over the years, his narrative has varied, frequently positioning himself as a key figure in the immediate aftermath.

Previous claims include taking his entire construction crew to Ground Zero to assist with recovery efforts. He has also stated he helped clear rubble and searched for survivors.

Disputed Claims and Lack of Evidence

Fact-checkers and rescue officials present at the time have consistently disputed Trump’s accounts, citing a lack of public evidence. There is no public record or witness testimony to corroborate his claims of being physically lifted by firefighters or organizing a large crew for recovery operations.

While Trump did visit Ground Zero in the days following the attacks, his specific assertions about direct involvement in rescue efforts or being carried to safety lack independent verification.

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Political Timing and Scrutiny

The comments come ahead of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a period often marked by solemn remembrance and political commentary. Trump's remarks have drawn scrutiny, particularly as he is reportedly not attending the main New York City commemoration.

The White House has defended Trump’s statements, arguing he was relaying his experience of a city in chaos and criticizing media for attacking him.

Options market and stocks to watch

Political headlines, especially those involving prominent figures like Donald Trump, can contribute to overall market sentiment and volatility. While this story has no direct sector impact, traders often watch for how such narratives influence broader indices.

• SPY: The S&P 500 ETF is a key indicator for overall market reaction to political noise.
• QQQ: The Nasdaq 100 ETF, heavily weighted in tech, can also be sensitive to shifts in investor confidence driven by political news.
• VIX: The CBOE Volatility Index often spikes during periods of political uncertainty or heightened media scrutiny.
• GLD: Gold, represented by this ETF, can act as a safe-haven asset during times of increased political or economic instability.

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