Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris put aside political differences during a solemn 9/11 remembrance ceremony.
On Wednesday, the nation paused to mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, with a notable moment of unity observed in New York City. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and Senator JD Vance gathered to remember the tragic events of 2001 at Ground Zero.
In a display of rare political civility, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris shared a handshake before the commemorative ceremonies began. This meeting came just hours after their first face-to-face encounter during the presidential debate the previous evening. Both leaders extended their hands in a gesture of respect, emphasizing a temporary pause in political animosity amid the somber occasion.
As President Biden stated, “The country was united in the aftermath of the attacks, and we need to return to that spirit of unity.”
The event at Ground Zero brought together leaders from different sides of the political spectrum. While Harris and Trump interacted, she and Vance did not appear to engage with one another during the ceremony. The emphasis was on remembering the nearly 3,000 lives lost and reflecting on the enduring impact of the attacks.
Following the Ground Zero ceremony, Harris and Biden traveled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania. There, they participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial. The ceremony honored the passengers and crew who fought back against the hijackers on that fateful day. President Biden placed his hand on the wreath, and both he and Harris observed a poignant display of a cross made from the wreckage of the plane. Biden also took a moment to meet with local families affected by the tragedy.
In a gesture of unity, Biden briefly donned a Trump hat during a visit to a local fire station in Shanksville. This fire station had been a crucial gathering point for families in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. The president’s action was a symbolic nod to bipartisan solidarity. A White House spokesperson explained that Biden’s intent was to highlight the unity that emerged in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and to emphasize the need to return to such unity today.
The gesture was particularly noteworthy given the current political climate, which is marked by intense partisanship. While it has been customary for politicians to set aside their differences on 9/11 anniversaries, the significance of these small acts of bipartisanship stands out in a campaign cycle characterized by heightened tensions.
Later in the day, Biden and Harris proceeded to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, for another wreath-laying ceremony. This continued their tribute to the victims of the attacks and underscored the nationwide effort to honor those who lost their lives.
Donald Trump was scheduled to travel to Shanksville later on Wednesday to further commemorate the anniversary. The former president’s visit adds to the day’s series of solemn events dedicated to remembering the victims and reflecting on the national spirit in the aftermath of the attacks.
In addition to the primary figures in attendance, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, was also expected to attend a commemorative event. The specifics of his participation were not detailed, but his presence highlighted the broad spectrum of national engagement with the anniversary.
The September 11 attacks of 2001 remain a defining moment in American history. Islamist terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers. The attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and had a profound impact on the nation.
Last year, President Biden observed the anniversary in Alaska with American service members, a year after visiting the Pentagon and marking the event at Ground Zero with former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. This year’s observances reflect a continuity of tribute and remembrance, with leaders from across the political spectrum coming together to honor those lost and emphasize national unity.
