Trump Speaks at “Steel Across America” Event
On September 8, 2026, President Donald Trump spoke at the “Steel Across America” event held at the Ellipse, which is located near the White House. This gathering was meant to honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the attacks, Trump acknowledged the tragic events that unfolded two and a half decades ago, leading to the loss of life at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The event, organized by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, featured a steel beam transported from the World Trade Center as a tribute to those who perished and to the families forever changed by that day.
“It marks 25 years since a day that was etched forever into the memories of Americans. On 9/11, nearly 3,000 precious souls were stolen from us—killed by evil terrorists at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on Flight 93,” Trump stated in his address. “All these years later, we gather on another Tuesday morning in September to reaffirm the sacred vow we made a quarter of a century ago: ‘We will never forget,'” he added.
Present at the ceremony was U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. The firm suffered the largest organizational loss during the attacks, with 658 employees lost, including Lutnick’s brother, Gary.
Since that tragic day, Cantor Fitzgerald has significantly contributed to charities supporting victims’ families and broader disaster relief initiatives.
During the event, Trump also highlighted the bravery of many individuals from that day, particularly fallen FDNY firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo, who had also served in the U.S. Coast Guard. In Palazzo’s honor, the president announced that a new Fast Response Coast Guard Cutter will be named after him.
Furthermore, Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, known as “the man in the red bandana.” Crowther, an equities trader and volunteer firefighter, saved many lives on that fateful day before tragically losing his own when the South Tower collapsed.
His mother, Alison Crowther, accepted the medal on behalf of her son, expressing how his legacy of courage continues to inspire others even after 25 years.
“Welles’s light still shines brilliantly today, even after 25 years, as testament to his legacy of courage, compassion and love for humanity that continues to inspire and uplift others,” she said.
While the president reflected on the day’s heavy losses and extraordinary heroism, he reiterated a commitment to preventing another attack like that in the future.
“In the course of history, there are few moments that divide time into really what came before, when you look at what took place that day, nobody will ever even think of such a thing being able to happen again. And we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure it doesn’t,” Trump stated.
