Trump Attacks Reporter Maggie Haberman Over 9/11 Ceremony Report
- The confrontation began after The New York Times published a story co-authored by Haberman and three other journalists.
- The National September 11 Memorial and Museum has maintained a strict policy barring politicians from speaking at the annual Ground Zero event since 2012.
- Vice President JD Vance is slated to attend the New York ceremony without speaking privileges.
The confrontation began after The New York Times published a story co-authored by Haberman and three other journalists. According to two unnamed sources cited by the Times, Trump’s team had initially signaled to New York officials that he planned to attend the World Trade Center commemoration. However, the report stated that Trump changed course after learning he would not be permitted to make a speech at the Ground Zero site.
Trump Targets Haberman Over 9/11 Scheduling Report
Strict Policy Bars Politicians at Ground Zero
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum has maintained a strict policy barring politicians from speaking at the annual Ground Zero event since 2012. The rule aims to keep the focus entirely on the victims and their families.
Vice President JD Vance is slated to attend the New York ceremony without speaking privileges. Meanwhile, Trump opted to schedule an appearance as the featured speaker at the Pentagon’s September 11 ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Public Remarks Confirm Scheduling Pivot
Despite attempting to refute the Times’ reporting, Trump’s own public statements appeared to confirm the substance of the article.
He stated he was going to the Pentagon instead because he is a featured speaker there.
Truth Social Attack and Legal Threats
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump singled out Haberman by name, using his long-standing derogatory nickname for her and denigrating her appearance. He claimed Haberman had made up the story about his motivations, writing that he would actually love not to speak because he is speaking all the time, and that the anniversary is meant strictly to honor victims and their families.
Beyond the immediate scheduling dispute, Trump used his social media post to launch broader attacks against both the journalist and her employer. He blasted The New York Times as a failing publication and labeled Haberman a scammer and a phony.
He also threatened new legal action, pointing to his ongoing $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against the newspaper and book publisher Penguin Random House over allegations regarding his business and political reputation. The Times has sought a dismissal of that suit. Furthermore, Trump threatened a separate lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board for previous reporting awards given to Times journalists.
Swift Condemnation From Media and Critics
Public reaction to the attack was swift. Critics on social media condemned the language used against the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
CNN’s Jake Tapper publicly slammed the remarks on social media, calling them disgusting and beneath the office of the presidency. The White House, The New York Times, and Haberman were reached for comment by The Daily Beast.