New York, New York — Fred Trump III, the nephew of former President Donald Trump, publicly challenged his uncle’s recent claims about his actions during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on the evening of September 8, 2026, Trump III sought to address what he deemed misleading statements regarding his uncle’s involvement at Ground Zero.
Fred Trump III, now 63, felt compelled to respond following the publication of two reports related to the 9/11 tragedy. He articulated his concerns in a post that aimed to clarify misconceptions before the 25th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, asserting that waiting until that date would undermine the gravity of the memories associated with that day.
While he usually refrains from commenting on his uncle in personal terms, he found it necessary to counter the assertion that Donald Trump had brought a team to assist at the recovery site. This public disagreement is part of a longer-standing rift between the two men, which has intensified since the release of Trump III’s memoir, “All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way,” in 2024, where he made serious allegations about familial dynamics and his uncle’s character.
In recent interviews, the former president reiterated his narrative about being present at Ground Zero, recounting how he was evacuated from the U.S. Steel Building, known today as One Liberty Plaza, amidst fears of structural failure. During a September 6 interview, he suggested that he was actively involved in post-attack efforts, even recalling a dramatic evacuation experience.
In response, Trump III criticized his uncle’s recounting of events, asserting that the so-called crew who supposedly assisted at the site consisted primarily of office staff from Trump Tower, many of whom lacked the physical ability for such demanding work. He expressed belief that had these employees been capable, they would have offered help regardless.
The nephew also dismissed the former president’s account of narrowly escaping potential disaster as exaggerated, pointing out that the U.S. Steel Building was designed by competent engineers to withstand significant stress. An engineer close to Trump III’s circle even inspected the building shortly after the attacks, confirming its safety for occupancy, which contradicts the fears expressed by Donald Trump.
Additionally, the narrative surrounding the former president’s claims has shifted over the years, evolving from his initial assertion that he sent numerous construction workers to help at Ground Zero to varied accounts that now include the involvement of firefighters and, ultimately, a tale of being physically carried to safety.
In the days following the attacks, Donald Trump spoke to the media, stating that his construction crew included over 100 workers ready to assist on site. However, his claims raised eyebrows given the proximity of his Trump Tower to the attack site, located more than two miles away.
As public scrutiny persists, a White House spokesperson defended Donald Trump’s recounting of events, framing it as his personal experience during a chaotic time in the city. The spokesperson emphasized that journalists questioning the former president’s narrative were undermining public trust in the media without providing any corroborating evidence for the president’s version of events.
On the significance of the upcoming anniversary of the attacks, Donald Trump is reportedly planning to skip the memorial event at Ground Zero, where 2,977 victims lost their lives. The emotional weight of this milestone has prompted renewed dialogue surrounding the impacts of that day and the subsequent narratives shaped by public figures.
Maintaining his focus, Fred Trump III turned to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani the day after his initial post, criticizing Giuliani’s recent remarks regarding the attendance of current Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the memorial services. Despite acknowledging Giuliani’s role in unifying the city post-9/11, Trump III expressed disappointment over the former mayor’s comments, stating that he wished Giuliani would step back from public life.