I’m sipping my coffee and reading about President Trump’s latest speech, and folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. He’s honoring the heroes of 9/11, and I’m all for that, but then he goes and plugs his own priorities, like his war with Iran. I mean, can’t we just have a moment of solemnity without bringing up politics? Trump compared the danger of 9/11 to the threat of communism, because, you know, that’s exactly what we need to hear on a day of remembrance.
The event was held near the White House, and a crowd of first responders, service members, and Gold Star families gathered to pay their respects. A 21-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center’s South Tower was on display, and Trump said, “When we see this steel, we’re reminded that no matter what threat or challenge comes our way, America will fight. America will endure, and America will prevail.” That’s a nice sentiment, but then he had to go and bring up Iran again.
Trump, being a native New Yorker, recalled his own experience on 9/11, saying, “I saw things that I never want to see again.” He described a trip to Ground Zero as “raw.” I can only imagine what that must have been like. The steel beam on display has been traveling the country, visiting places like the Flight 93 National Memorial and Emma E. Booker Elementary School, where President George W. Bush was when he learned about the attacks.
At the event, Trump posthumously honored Welles Crowther, the “man in the red bandana,” with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Crowther was an equity trader and volunteer firefighter who helped guide people to safety before the South Tower collapsed. Trump quipped that Crowther had “become more famous than me. I don’t like it.” Oh, Trump, you’re such a card.
The president also recognized some of the officials in the audience, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who lost his brother in the attacks. Lutnick has been in the news recently for falsely claiming that no Americans had died in the war with Iran. Trump tried to downplay the remark, and Lutnick later apologized. Trump said of Lutnick, “He’s got some faults, but overall, he’s excellent.” Well, that’s one way to spin it.
Trump’s speech took a political turn when he started talking about law enforcement and communism. He said, “Our law enforcement holds our country together in light of some threats. We have some very real threats right now. We have people that want to go a different way, they want to go a communistic way. Well, that’s not going to work.” I’m not sure what’s more exhausting, the politics or the hyperbole.
Trump won’t be attending the anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center on Friday, but he’ll be marking the moment at the Pentagon. Apparently, he wants to deliver remarks, but politicians haven’t been allowed to speak at the World Trade Center ceremony since 2012. Somewhere in Atlanta, a producer thought this sounded terrifying, and now we’ve got a whole news cycle about it.
In conclusion, it’s been a wild ride reading about Trump’s 9/11 speech. I’m glad he’s honoring the heroes of that day, but can’t we just keep the politics to a minimum? As I finish my coffee, I’m reminded that, despite all the drama, we can still come together to remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives on 9/11. And that’s a nice thought to end on, before I spill my coffee again.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
