US President Donald Trump has reflected on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, recalling how he watched the events unfold from New York and describing the moment as a turning point that changed the world.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Trey Gowdy on Fox News' Gowdy America, as the United States prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2026. He also praised New York City's recovery and reconstruction following the destruction of the World Trade Centre. 

Trump Recalls Watching the Attacks Unfold

Trump said he was watching television from his Manhattan apartment on the morning of September 11 when reports emerged of a fire at the World Trade Centre.

According to his account, he initially questioned reports that the first impact had been caused by a boiler, saying he knew such equipment was located in basements rather than at the top of a building.

He recalled seeing the second aircraft approach and strike the World Trade Centre, describing the experience as the moment he realised the United States had entered a fundamentally different era. (The Economic Times)

‘The World Has Just Changed’

Trump said the sight of the second plane hitting the building made him realise that the events were far beyond an ordinary accident.

He described the experience as one in which he understood that “we are now in a different time”, reflecting on the scale of the attack and its implications for the United States and the wider world. (The Economic Times)

His comments come days before the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which remain one of the defining events in modern US history.

Praise for New York’s Recovery

Trump also spoke about the aftermath of the attacks and his visit to the affected area shortly afterwards.

He recalled the scale of debris at the World Trade Centre site and praised the construction workers and New York's efforts to clear the area and rebuild.

Trump said the reconstruction of the World Trade Centre demonstrated the resilience of New York and argued that the city had not received enough recognition for the speed of its recovery. (The Economic Times)

9/11 Attacks Changed US Security Policy

The September 11 attacks involved 19 al-Qaeda hijackers who took control of four commercial passenger aircraft.

Two planes were flown into the World Trade Centre's Twin Towers in New York, while another struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth aircraft crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew attempted to regain control.

Official US figures put the number of people killed in the attacks at 2,977, excluding the 19 hijackers. The attacks triggered a major transformation in US counterterrorism and national security policy. (The Economic Times)

25th Anniversary to Be Marked on September 11

The 25th anniversary will be observed across the United States on September 11.

At the World Trade Centre site, annual commemorations honour those killed in the attacks, with victims' names traditionally read aloud by relatives and loved ones.

The anniversary also comes as the United States reflects on the longer-term consequences of 9/11, including the military campaign in Afghanistan and the broader global fight against al-Qaeda and affiliated terrorist organisations.

Trump's latest recollections place his personal memories of that morning alongside the wider historical impact of the attacks, which reshaped American security policy and influenced international affairs for decades.

Trump Seeks to Mend Fences After NATO Remarks Spark Diplomatic Firestorm

In a striking reversal, former President Donald Trump has moved to quell a transatlantic uproar following his comments downplaying NATO allies’ contributions in the Afghanistan War. The shift underscores the enduring sensitivity around military sacrifices and the fragile nature of alliance diplomacy.

Facing sharp rebukes from European capitals, Trump took to Truth Social to praise British soldiers as “great and very brave,” explicitly acknowledging the 457 UK troops killed in the conflict. This marks a significant tonal pivot from an interview days prior, where he suggested NATO allies largely avoided frontline fighting—a claim that ignited immediate outrage.

Allied Outrage and a Swift Recalibration

The initial remarks struck a deep nerve. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled them “highly objectionable,” while Dutch and Polish officials publicly denounced the assertions as false and disrespectful. The backlash highlighted a raw gap in historical perception, forcing a rare recalibration.

Trump’s subsequent post aimed directly at this wound. “We fought together, and we will always stand together,” he stated, framing the alliance as eternal. This was swiftly followed by a reported phone call with Prime Minister Starmer, where Downing Street said the two discussed the “bravery and sacrifices” of troops. The dialogue itself signals damage control in motion.The Weight of Shared Sacrifice

The heart of the controversy lies in the hard numbers and human stories of the NATO mission. Following 9/11, the alliance invoked its collective defense clause for the first time ever, leading to a nearly 20-year engagement in Afghanistan.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) involved 130,000 troops from 51 countries.

Hundreds of non-American soldiers lost their lives, including 159 Canadians, 90 French, 62 German, and 44 Polish troops.

The poignant story of British soldier Aaron McClure, killed by an errant U.S. bomb, exemplifies the intertwined and tragic reality of joint operations. Critics, like former MI6 chief Richard Moore, emphasized the seamless and dangerous cooperation between allied intelligence services, a bond now strained by political rhetoric.

A Lingering Strain on Alliance Cohesion

While the immediate fire may be dampened, the episode leaves embers. It touches on a recurring tension within NATO regarding burden-sharing and acknowledgment—a theme Trump has amplified for years. For European leaders, the incident reinforces anxieties about the future of U.S. commitment should Trump return to power.

The Trump NATO backlash is more than a fleeting diplomatic spat; it’s a reminder of how quickly words can overshadow shared history and sacrifice. As alliances adapt to new global threats, maintaining mutual respect for past sacrifices remains a fundamental pillar. The swift fallout and partial walk-back show that even for a figure who frequently challenges diplomatic norms, some lines, when crossed, still demand a retreat.