President Donald Trump made a bizarre claim during Monday’s press conference that he predicted Osama Bin Laden would “destroy” the World Trade Center, a reference to the tragic 9/11 attacks in 2001. The 79-year-old further added that he knew Iran would “weaponize” the Strait of Hormuz during a US-Iran war.
What did Trump say about 9/11 and Osama bin Laden?
Trump said he predicted Iran would weaponize the Strait of Hormuz, adding, “I predicted all of this. I predicted Osama bin Laden would destroy the World Trade Center. I made that prediction a year before he did it.”
Read more: Trump says US ‘destroyed everything except oil pipelines’ in attack on Iran’s Kharg Island
What happened on September 11, 2001?
On September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda launched the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. Nineteen hijackers took control of four commercial airliners:
American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 intentionally crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m., respectively.
Both 110-story towers caught fire, suffered catastrophic structural damage, and completely collapsed within approximately two hours.
American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia at 9:37 AM.
follow: Dubai – Abu Dhabi News Live: UAE suspends landing operations at Dubai Airport until further notice
United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m. after passengers and crew attempted to wrest control from the hijackers; the intended target is believed to have been the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
These attacks killed 2,977 people (not including the 19 hijackers), injured thousands, and caused massive destruction in New York City and the Pentagon.
Who is responsible?
The attacks were planned and carried out by al-Qaeda, the Islamic terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden publicly claimed responsibility in several video statements released between 2001 and 2004.
What did Trump say about 9/11?
As early as 2019, Trump recalled the day of the attack. “I vividly remember the first time I heard the news. I was sitting at home early that morning watching an important business television show. Jack Welch, the legendary head of General Electric, was about to be interviewed, and suddenly they stopped. At first, there were different reports: It was a boiler fire, but I knew the boiler was not on top of the building. It was a kitchen explosion in the Window on the World. No one really knew what was going on. It was very chaotic,” he said at the Pentagon commemoration event. ceremony.
“You waited, you prayed, you answered that most horrific call and your lives were changed forever. To each of you: The First Lady and I are united with you in grief, and we are here because we know we cannot erase the pain or reverse the evil of that dark and tragic day, but we offer you everything we have: our unwavering loyalty, our undying devotion, and our everlasting commitment that your loved ones will never be forgotten.”
