In August 2026, a circulating rumor claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social stating the National September 11 Memorial & Museum barred him from speaking at the upcoming 25th-anniversary ceremony, and that his administration was reviewing plans to “shut them down permanently.”
As the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks approached in late August 2026, social media users began circulating a screenshot of what purported to be a message posted by U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social.
The image quickly spread across platforms like Facebook and the meme site 9GAG after being shared by an X user on August 30:
(@ShawS983 via X)
The text in the fraudulent screenshot claimed:
“The National September 11 Memorial and Museum commission decided I’m not allowed to speak at the remembrance. Imagine that? A native new Yorker. The greatest president in history. We’re looking into shutting them down permanently, remove the memorial and building a statue of me as tall as the World Trade Center. Not to brag or anything, but I single handedly saved 500 thousand people in those burning buildings. I ran 110 floors at least 50 times within 30 minutes pulling people out of tight spaces. I almost died.” DJT
Curious readers reached out to verify whether the viral screenshot was authentic or if the president had actually published such remarks.
A review of Trump’s official Truth Social account showed no record of the message. Furthermore, comprehensive searches across Google, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo for any reports of a deleted post containing these absurd claims—such as saving half a million people or constructing a massive replacement statue—yielded zero results. Major news organizations like The Associated Press and The New York Times would have prominently covered such a statement had it ever been made.
While a few social media users expressed confusion over the post’s authenticity, many quickly identified it as fabricated humor and explicitly labeled it as satire.
Because the image features blatantly false and exaggerated claims and was designed to mock rather than inform, investigators determined the graphic originated as satire.
Context Surrounding the New York Ceremony
The satirical post emerged just ahead of the solemn 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Prior to the anniversary, reports surfaced claiming Trump decided against attending the New York City commemoration because he was informed he would not be permitted to speak. The White House disputed these accounts.
Administrators for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum have long maintained a strict policy keeping the annual commemoration free of political messaging, requiring that attending politicians refrain from giving speeches and remain within designated seating areas.
Addressing the reports on August 28, Trump released an authentic statement via Truth Social criticizing media coverage of the event, writing: “I would love not to speak, because I’m speaking all the time, and this is a day to remember the victims, and their beautiful family members.” He also confirmed his intention to attend the remembrance ceremony held at the Pentagon instead.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly shared further details regarding the administration’s participation:
As a proud New Yorker, President Trump has spoken about his own experiences watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001. On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, the President will remember those who were killed at the hands of evil terrorists, honor their loved ones, and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans.
Additionally, the White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would travel to New York, ensuring administration representation across all three primary memorial sites, including Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The effectiveness of satire remains subjective, leading fact-checkers to apply ratings like “Originated as Satire” or “Labeled Satire” based on creator intent and context.