Fact Check: Did Biden Visit Ground Zero the Day After 9/11?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
On Monday, President Joe Biden commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska. During his address, he claimed to have visited Ground Zero the day after the attacks. Is this true?
Biden’s Words: “I join you on this solemn day to renew our sacred vow: never forget. Never forget. We never forget. Each of us, each of those precious lives stolen too soon when evil attacked. Ground Zero in New York, I remember standing there the next day, and looking at the building. And I felt like I was looking through the gates of hell. It looked so devastating because of the way from where you could stand.”
Details: According to congressional records, then-Senator Biden was not in New York City on September 12, 2001. He was in Washington, D.C., attending a Senate session. Biden did visit Ground Zero later on September 20, 2001, as part of a Senate delegation.
How the Media Covered It: Fact check outlets across the spectrum covered the claim and were in agreement that it was false. Newsweek (Center bias) connected the backlash to political attacks on the president, stating, “Republicans are focusing heavily on apparent gaffes by Biden as many argue that the 80-year-old Democrat isn't mentally fit for a second White House term.” The National Review (Right bias) included a quote from former U.S. House Rep. Tulsi Gabbard criticizing Biden for not commemorating the anniversary in New York City.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Where Was Joe Biden on Day After 9/11? President's Story Raises Questions
Joe Biden has come under fire after claiming to have visited the ruins of the World Trade Center on September 12, 2001, one day after the 9/11 attacks, despite there being no records of the then-senator being in New York at all that day.
The president made the claim on Monday, the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, while giving an address at a military base in Alaska.
Republicans are focusing heavily on apparent gaffes by Biden as many argue that the 80-year-old Democrat isn't mentally...
From the Right
Biden Falsely Claims He Visited Ground Zero the Day after 9/11
President Biden on Monday, the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, falsely claimed that he visited Ground Zero the day after the tragedy, when in fact he was in the Senate voting on a resolution.
“Never forget,” Biden said to U.S. troops on a military base in Anchorage, Alaska. “Never forget. We never forget. Each of those precious lives stolen too soon when evil attacked. Ground Zero New York. I remember standing there the next day and looking at the building. It felt like I was looking through...
From the Left
Biden Says He Stood at Ground Zero the Day After 9/11
In a commemorative speech on Sept. 11, 2023, the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in which thousands of people died, U.S. President Joe Biden said he remembered standing at ground zero in New York City the next day and looking at the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center:
"I join you on this solemn day to renew our sacred vow: never forget; never forget; we never forget. Each of us ... each of those precious lives stolen too soon when evil attacked. Ground zero, New York. I...
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