In a rare display of unity, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump attended the 9/11 commemoration ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York City on Wednesday. The event marked the 23rd anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people in 2001.
Despite their contentious presidential debate the previous night, Harris and Trump shook hands and exchanged brief words before lining up for the ceremony. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, was also in attendance.
The solemn ceremony, held at the “ground zero” site where the World Trade Center’s twin towers once stood, featured the reading of names of family members killed in the attacks. Wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, and grandchildren took turns reciting the names of their loved ones, remembering the tragic events of that day.
The annual commemoration honors the victims of the al Qaeda-led suicide attacks, which resulted in the collapse of the World Trade Center’s twin towers, damage to the Pentagon, and the crash of a fourth plane in a Pennsylvania field after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers.
The ceremony included a bagpipe and drum processional, accompanied by honor guards from New York City’s fire and police departments and the Port Authority. The national anthem was performed, and moments of silence were observed at the exact times each target was struck.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended the ceremony, standing between Biden and Trump in a show of unity. The event served as a poignant reminder of the importance of putting aside political differences in the face of national tragedy.
