Donald Trump has said he knows who was behind the al-Qaeda terror attacks on the US in September 2001 and added that “Iraq did not knock down the World Trade Centre”.
“It was not Iraq,” the president told ABC News. “It were other people. And I think I know who the other people were. And you might also.”
Almost 3,000 people died when 19 terrorists – most of them Saudis – hijacked four passenger planes on 11 September, 2001. Two of the planes were crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Virginia and one was brought down in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.
The al-Qaeda terror network, led by Osama bin Laden, claimed responsibility for the atrocity.
In an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Mr Trump criticised America’s military intervention in the Middle East, which he said was ”the worst decision made in the history of our country”.
He described the region as “like quicksand” and added: ”It was a terrible decision to go into the Middle East. Terrible.
Inside the ‘digital lockdown’ for US officials as Trump arrives in China
Move to oust Nancy Guthrie sheriff fails as Pima County supervisors refer perjury allegations to AG
Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online
Rubio wears Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One in parody of Maduro capture
High school student with history of anger issues charged with murder of homeless woman in Las Vegas
Nebraska’s Pillen wins Republican renomination in bid for second term as governor
Lawsuit: ChatGPT Told Florida State Shooter that Killing Children Would Get Him ‘More Attention’ Than Targeting Adults
House GOP launches new task force, probes alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio
Republican Ricketts wins GOP primary in Nebraska, advances to key Senate showdown
Poll: Rubio Opens Up Double-Digit Lead on Vance, AOC Leads 2028 Democratic Field
Big city Democrat mayor arrested at ICE protest faces voters in re-election bid
BREAKING: All Tenn. Dem Reps Have Been Removed from Every House Committee Possible as Punishment for Redistricting Chaos
Fake Black Woman Rachel Dolezal Resurfaces After Decade, Has Entered Digital Version of World’s Oldest Profession
Trump expected to name ICE veteran with private detention ties as agency’s acting director
Gay Couple Who Acquired 5 Boys Arrested on Child Sex Charges
“We’re now up to almost $8tn (£6.4tn). And when we want to build a roadway, a highway, a school, or something, everyone’s always fighting over money. It’s ridiculous. So that was a bad decision.”
He added: “And, by the way, Iraq did not knock down the World Trade Centre. It was not Iraq. It were other people. And I think I know who the other people were. And you might also. But it was a terrible decision.”
The US, backed by allies including Britain, invaded Afghanistan, where the terror group was being sheltered. But 9/11 was also used as part of the justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, more than 4,000 Americans and 179 British troops, and contributed to the rise of the Isis terror group.
Mr Trump made the remarks after he was asked why he praised Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea.
The president initially claimed he says “good things about lots of people” before remarking “I’ve done a great job” and saying “everyone thought we were going to be at war” the day after he was elected.
Inside the ‘digital lockdown’ for US officials as Trump arrives in China
Move to oust Nancy Guthrie sheriff fails as Pima County supervisors refer perjury allegations to AG
Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online
Rubio wears Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One in parody of Maduro capture
High school student with history of anger issues charged with murder of homeless woman in Las Vegas
Nebraska’s Pillen wins Republican renomination in bid for second term as governor
Lawsuit: ChatGPT Told Florida State Shooter that Killing Children Would Get Him ‘More Attention’ Than Targeting Adults
House GOP launches new task force, probes alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio
Republican Ricketts wins GOP primary in Nebraska, advances to key Senate showdown
Poll: Rubio Opens Up Double-Digit Lead on Vance, AOC Leads 2028 Democratic Field
Big city Democrat mayor arrested at ICE protest faces voters in re-election bid
BREAKING: All Tenn. Dem Reps Have Been Removed from Every House Committee Possible as Punishment for Redistricting Chaos
Fake Black Woman Rachel Dolezal Resurfaces After Decade, Has Entered Digital Version of World’s Oldest Profession
Trump expected to name ICE veteran with private detention ties as agency’s acting director
Gay Couple Who Acquired 5 Boys Arrested on Child Sex Charges
He then said he had been “rebuilding the military” which he said was “totally depleted between President Bush with the Middle East” and then segued into his attack on the “terrible decision to go into the Middle East”.
Mr Trump has made several controversial remarks about the attacks on the Twin Towers.
During a Republican primary debate, the then-candidate blamed Bill Clinton and George Bush for not killing Osama bin Laden.
He said: “The World Trade Centre came down because Bill Clinton didn’t kill Osama bin Laden when he had the chance to kill him. And George Bush… by the way, George Bush had the chance, also, and he didn’t listen to the advice of his CIA.”
After the attacks, Mr Trump claimed ”thousands and thousands of people were cheering” the day the towers fell and later added that the cheers came from areas of New Jersey with “large Arab populations”.
His allegations were denied by police and Steven Fulop, the Jersey City mayor.
The former real estate mogul also used the aftermath of the attacks to brag his nearby skyscraper now held the title of highest building in Lower Manhattan.
Story cited here.
