August 
Critics say Trump’s 9/11 comments stretch the truth again
Critics say Trump’s 9/11 comments stretch the truth again
Trump revives old 9/11 claim
U.S. president Donald Trump has again claimed that he warned about Osama bin Laden before the September 11, 2001 attacks and could have prevented them if his concerns had been taken seriously.
According to the news outlet Mirror, he made the remarks during a speech at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
His claim of a written warning
Trump told the audience that he had written about bin Laden “exactly one year before” the 9/11 attacks, adding that people failed to act on his warning.
The reference appears to come from his 2000 book The America We Deserve, which mentioned bin Laden briefly as a threat to U.S. security but did not predict an attack.
Fact-checking the statement
Historians and fact-checkers note that the book was published 18 months before 9/11, not a year, and that Trump’s reference to bin Laden was general and nonspecific.
His claim to have foreseen the attacks has therefore been widely described as inaccurate.
A day of ceremony and symbolism
Trump’s comments came during a high-profile naval celebration featuring military displays and patriotic tributes.
He was joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other senior officials. The event included missile launches, fighter jet demonstrations and a visit to the USS George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier.
A message mixed with politics
The event took place as the U.S. government entered a partial shutdown, leaving thousands of federal workers without pay.
Trump blamed Democrats for the standoff, calling the layoffs a result of their inaction. Democrats, meanwhile, accused him of creating the impasse through his own budget decisions.
Social media posts before the event
Before leaving the White House, Trump posted on Truth Social that it would be “a big day with the Navy and described the event as a “show of naval aptitude and strength.”
The post emphasised U.S. military power and invited followers to watch the broadcast nationwide.
Context and criticism
Trump’s suggestion that he could have stopped 9/11 has drawn renewed criticism from political commentators, who say it reflects his tendency to exaggerate past actions.
Supporters, however, see it as consistent with his long-running claim that he recognises threats others ignore.
Blending legacy, patriotism and controversy
The remarks underline how Trump often mixes personal legacy, military pride and political messaging in his public appearances.
While his statement about bin Laden lacks factual support, it fits a broader pattern of using major anniversaries and national symbols to reinforce his leadership image.
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
