Trump to spend 9/11 anniversary as ringside commentator at casino boxing match in Florida
The former president’s plans were described as ‘disgraceful’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, President Joe Biden is visiting the three sites hit by the terror attacks. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush paid tribute to victims at Ground Zero in New York City and the Pennsylvania field where Flight 93 crashed, respectively.
Former president Donald Trump will be in Florida to attend a boxing match at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. Mr Trump is lined up as a ringside commentator at the event featuring David Haye and Evander Holyfield, along with his son Donald Trump Jr.
Some 2,996 people died on September 11, 2001 when four commercial planes were hijacked by terrorists, making it the deadliest terrorist attack to have ever happened on American soil.
Mr Trump’s plans to spend the sombre anniversary at a boxing match were met with disgust and resignation.
“It feels like a parody of the kind of thing that Donald Trump would do, but it is perfectly fitting for this disgraced ex-president, essentially exiled from polite society, to spend this solemn occasion doing boxing commentary on pay-per-view,” MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes said on his show.
9/11 memorial news – live: Bush says US faces extremism threat ‘from within’, as victims’ families pay tribute
I escaped from the 80th floor of the North Tower on 9/11 – then it collapsed on me
‘I’m so thankful for that message’: The final calls made by 9/11 victims that still comfort grieving relatives
Mr Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, who has long been publicly critical of her uncle, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that she found his decision “disgraceful.”
“Does it surprise you even by his low standard?” Mr Cooper asked Ms Trump. “If another former president decided to spend 9/11 commenting on a boxing match on pay-per-view, people would … their heads would explode.”
“That’s been the problem all along,” she said in response. “For reasons that are very difficult to understand. There is a completely different standard that Donald‘s held to. In fact, he‘s held to no standard.“
“It’s disgraceful,” she added.
On social media, people were also unimpressed by Mr Trump’s plans.
“Doing commentary on novelty boxing matches seems like exactly the kind of thing Donald Trump would be doing in a world where he DIDN’T become president” wrote Twitter user Alex McClintock. Another individual, Jordan Elgott, commented: “We live in an unbelievable world.”
Pete Dominick added: “Trump is narrating a fight on 9/11 which is good because we’d rather not have his commentary on 9/11.”
Mr Trump was expected to visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York on Saturday, but instead paid a brief visit to New York City Police Department officers at the 17th precinct, where he hinted that he would run for office again in 2024.
He is also expected to deliver an address via video at the Let Us Worship event on the National Mall in Washington DC.
This story has been updated to reflect Mr Trump’s schedule
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments