Donald Trump has said he will visit Ground Zero Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 – but only after Joe Biden leaves and before he heads to host a boxing match in Florida.
Trump told Fox News Friday he will travel to Manhattan, New York City, to pay his respects at the site of the World Trade Center to the almost 3,000 people killed on America’s darkest day.
He is the only surviving US president not expected to attend one of the official ceremonies.
On the 10th anniversary of the attacks in 2011, Republican President George Bush joined his successor Democratic President Barack Obama at the New York ceremony.
Donald Trump has said he will visit Ground Zero Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 – but only after Joe Biden leaves and before he heads to host a boxing match in Florida
Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 flies toward the World Trade Center Twin towers before slamming into the South Tower on September 11 2001. Trump said he will visit the site
Trump is expected to visit Ground Zero at around 1:30pm, local law enforcement officials told the New Jersey Globe, after being informed of the plans by the Secret Service.
This timing means Trump will avoid any chance of bumping into his successor as Biden will have departed New York by this time to attend ceremonies in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon.
Biden flew into New York Friday night for the official 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero Saturday morning, which begins at 8:30am.
He is expected to be joined by former presidents Obama and Bill Clinton.
Among the others expected in attendance are: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
Meanwhile, Bush, who was less than a year into his presidency when the September 11 terrorist attacks took place, will attend the ceremony in Pennsylvania where Flight 93 crashed.
Biden will then leave New York around 10am to head to Shanksville, followed by the Pentagon shortly after.
Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at LaGuardia Airport in New York Friday ahead of Saturday’s official 9/11 memorial ceremony
Trump, meanwhile, had been tightlipped on his plans to mark two decades on from the horrific day that changed the world.
He did however make plans to host a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort in Hollywood, Florida, Saturday night.
The match will take place at The Seminole Hard Rock Casino on Saturday, and is being touted ‘The Most Anticipated Heavyweight Fight of The Year.’
Donald Trump Jr. will be joining his father there.
Trump faced a backlash over his decision to take part in the match on September 11.
His estranged niece Mary Trump called it ‘disgraceful’ on CNN Thursday.
Trump is the only surviving president not expected to attend official ceremonies. Biden is expected to be joined in NYC by Barack Obama (pictured) and Bill Clinton
Then-President George Bush at Ground Zero on September 12 2001. Bush will attend and speak at the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
‘Disgraceful isn’t a strong enough word,’ she said.
The Lincoln Project – a political action committee formed by Republicans – highlighted the differences between his and Biden’s plans.
‘President Joe Biden will travel to all three sites of the terrorist attacks – New York City, Shanksville, PA, and the Pentagon,’ it tweeted.
‘President Donald Trump will travel to a casino in Florida to offer commentary at a boxing match.’
Trump plans to host a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort in Hollywood, Florida, Saturday night
Meanwhile, Trump hit out at Biden, saying over his chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan last month has meant the anniversary is ‘depressing.’
‘It is very depressing,’ Trump told Fox.
‘This was supposed to be a day of victory. Now it is a day of embarrassment,’ he continued.
‘How do you have this happen?’
Trump added: ‘I think Biden rushed it to try to claim victory, and now, he looks like a fool.’
