Uncategorised3 min(s) read
Uncategorised3 min(s) read
us3 min(s) read
Donald Trump has appeared to claim that he predicted the 9/11 terror attacks before they happened and that he was aware of Osama bin Laden.
Speaking at Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, Trump addressed a crowd of Navy personnel with a winding speech that mixed praise for America’s armed forces with political jabs and personal self-congratulation.
One moment that caught particular attention was his reassertion of a long-debunked claim regarding Osama bin Laden and the lead-up to 9/11.
People watched on as the President appeared to claim that he knew about the terror attacks that killed 2977 people in 2001.
“Please remember I wrote about Osama bin Laden exactly one year ago, one year before he blew up the World Trade Center,” Trump said.
“I said, ‘You’ve gotta watch Osama bin Laden.’ And the fake news would never let me get away with that statement unless it was true.
"But, I said one year before to Pete Hegseth, I said one year before, in the book, I wrote — whatever the hell the title,
"I can’t tell you, but I can tell you there’s a page in there devoted to the fact that I saw somebody named Osama bin Laden, and I didn’t like it, and ‘You’ve gotta take care of him.’”
He continued: “They didn’t do it. A year later, he blew up the World Trade Center.
"So, I gotta take a little credit because nobody else is gonna give it to me.
"You know the old story — they don’t give you credit, just take it yourself.”
The book Trump was referring to, The America We Deserve, was released in early 2000 — more than 18 months before the 9/11 attacks — and does mention bin Laden briefly.
But fact-checkers have repeatedly pointed out that Trump did not predict the attacks or suggest bin Laden should be taken out, per the Mirror.
Another point that people have spotted is regarding Trump's claim that he spoke to Pete Hegseth about bin Laden a year before 9/11 - but Hesgeth would have been in his early twenties and in college at the time.
The former president made similar remarks in the past, and Sunday’s speech wasn’t the first time he sought to claim foresight on Bin Laden’s threat.
During a 2021 interview, Trump even downplayed the al Qaeda leader’s impact while praising the military kills of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Iranian general Qasem Soleimani under his watch.
“We took out the founder of ISIS, al-Baghdadi, and then of course Soleimani,” Trump said.
“Osama bin Laden had one hit, and it was a bad one, in New York City, the World Trade Center.
"But these other two guys were monsters. They were monsters.”
us1 min(s) read
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. On September 11, 2001, 19 Al-Queda militants hijacked four planes to carry out suicide attacks. Two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Virginia. And a fourth plane, Flight 193, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The intended target was in Washington, D.C., but the brave passengers on board thwarted the hijackers and regained control of the plane.
Nearly 3,000 people died, and over 6,000 people were injured, following the terrorist attacks. Many Americans lost loved ones. Many heroic firefighters and police officers gave their lives to rescue people, or are still battling health problems today from inhaling the toxic smoke. It's a somber day to remember whom we lost, and empathize with those who are mourning. So, of course, Donald Trump marked the solemn occasion with an excited double fist pump.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/dougmillsnyt/status/1039502832397963264]]
President Trump and the First Lady arrived in Pennsylvania to attend a memorial service for the forty passengers and crew members of Flight 193. However, as Trump approached the crowd at the airport, he gave an absolutely tone-deaf gesture, pumping both of his fists in the air with a perplexing facial expression. The president's bizarre body language sparked a backlash on social media. As one Twitter user put it, "I've never been excited for anything as much as Donald Trump is excited for 9/11."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/TheDweck/status/1039510922023161856]]
You'd think that on 9/11, the president would take a break from doing something embarrassing, but nope.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/andylassner/status/1039505765315174400]]
Turnnnnn up!
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/anamariecox/status/1039514475320111105]]
Hey now! Some of those hillbillies, I assume, are good people.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/cmkinmia/status/1039517617352990720]]
Pepperidge Farm remembers.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/1039506272616370176]]
I'm sticking with "perplexing."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/realLarrySky/status/1039521247313453056]]
9/11 might be the worst party theme.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/prufrock451/status/1039512367762235392]]
Okay, 9/11 is definitely the worst party theme.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/pourmecoffee/status/1039511891217997824]]
And did I mention the thumbs-up at the Flight 193 Memorial?
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/SimonMaloy/status/1039548148778262529]]
This sounds like something President Trump would say, in reaction to the criticism.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/DucesDarmy/status/1039518861593333760]]
This Twitter user claims that on 9/11, after the World Trade Center fell, Trump's first reaction was to brag about how his building was now the tallest. According to Snopes, this is a mixture of true and false. In an interview, Trump does mention his building is the tallest, but whether or not that constitutes "bragging" is up to interpretation.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/JordanUhl/status/1039503874799882240]]
Melania is the Queen of side-eye.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Thee_Capn/status/1039532639743565824]]
But hey, let's give Donald Trump some credit. After rage-tweeting about the Russia investigation, he congratulated his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani was the Mayor of New York City during 9/11, and widely praised for his leadership. Now he goes on cable news shows and gives contradictory, baffling Orwellian statements defending Trump, such as "Truth isn't truth."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1039483479363399680]]
Nobody counts better than the commander-in-chief.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1039498334594052096]]
Maybe Chrissy Teigen put it best.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/1039560039172923395]]
President Trump has been accused of lacking empathy before. During a meeting with Parkland school shooting survivors, he held notecards with prompts to say simple statements like "I hear you." And during a visit to a relief center in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, he threw paper towels into the crowd like he was shooting basketballs. Still, who saw a double fist pump on 9/11 coming?
uk1 min(s) read
Yesterday a massive fire ravaged Notre Dame cathedral, an iconic 850-year-old structure and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris. As plumes of smoke billowed from the roof and flames toppled the 300-foot spire, the world watched in shock. Fortunately, firefighters were able to save the twin medieval towers and rescue the priceless religious artifacts inside.
A Paris prosecutor has launched an investigation into the fire, and told reporters it was likely an accident linked to restoration work. In wake of the calamity, French president Emmanuel Macron announced a fundraising campaign to repair Notre Dame. "I’m telling you all tonight - we will rebuild this cathedral together," he said, and in less than 24 hours, France's wealthiest citizens raised at least €600m ($677m).
Watch the heartbreaking moment the Notre Dame spire collapses:
[[jwplayerwidget||https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/7oCF9GKP-Q0L14jDU.mp4||7oCF9GKP]]
Former US president Barack Obama offered his sympathies on Twitter by sharing a photo of his family inside the famous cathedral. "Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief," tweeted Obama. "It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1117886698568830976]]
Current US president Donald Trump also responded to the disaster, and offered misguided advice on how to effectively fight the fire. "So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris," tweeted Trump. "Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!"
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1117844987293487104]]
As many people pointed out in the replies, Trump's idea to use "flying water tankers" would have made the situation worse. "Water-dropping aircraft have not been used at Notre Dame because dumping water on the building could cause the whole structure to collapse," France's civil security agency said, according to Bloomberg. Twitter user @MollyJongFast shared a photo of that quote next to Trump's tweet, joking, "The man fights fires as well as he presidents."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1117881947181568001]]
Twitter user @BrianBeutler agreed, sarcastically tweeting, "Everyone knows that the right thing to do when priceless, historic, fragile works of art and architecture are endangered is to drop hundreds of tons of water on them. God, what an embarrassment."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/brianbeutler/status/1117847263135408128]]
Government agency Sécurité Civile, which operates for the French Ministry of the Interior, confirmed that using water-bombing aircrafts would be catastrophic. "Hundreds of firemen of the Paris Fire Brigade are doing everything they can to bring the terrible #NotreDame fire under control," the agency tweeted. "All means are being used, except for water-bombing aircrafts which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/SecCivileFrance/status/1117874924268376064]]
Retired New York City Fire Department battalion chief Wayne McPartland echoed those comments while speaking to CNBC. "If you hit that with tons of water from above, that’s going to collapse the entire structure and make the situation worse," McPartland said. "[Plus] If you miss, you might hit civilians in the street."
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/TheContemptor/status/1063888277516820480]]
This isn't the first time Trump has shared his firefighting 'expertise.' Last November, he visited Northern California to survey the damage caused by historically deadly wildfires. "We’ve got to take care of the floors," Trump said in a press conference. "You know, the floors of the forest, very important. You look at other countries where they do it differently, and it's a whole different story. I was with the president of Finland, and he said, 'We have a much different... we're a forest nation.' "
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1117845786962927619]]
In response, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto told the lta-Sanomat newspaper that he did not recall discussing raking with Trump. As for Finnish residents, they found Trump's baffling comment hilarious and mocked him on social media. "Just an ordinary day in the Finnish forest," said Twitter user @pyryluminen, alongside a photo of herself happily raking a forest.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/pyryluminen/status/1064159712919334917]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1117845786962927619]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1117847820738818048]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/NOW1SOLAR/status/1117898109470658560]]
It is unclear where Obama stands on the issue of raking forest floors and flying water tankers. The difference between No. 44's tweet and No. 45's tweet is striking.
us2 min(s) read
An old social media post from Donald Trump has resurfaced online, with many users pointing out how differently it is being viewed today compared to when it was first posted.
Back in March 2014, during the presidency of Barack Obama, Trump shared a strongly worded message criticizing the state of the country.
He wrote: "It's almost like the United States has no President - we are a rudderless ship heading for a major disaster. Good luck everyone!"
At the time, the tweet was directed at Obama's administration, which Trump frequently criticized. More than a decade later, however, social media users have revived the post and argued that it now reflects concerns they have about Trump's own leadership during his second term.
Many online commentators have suggested the tweet has "aged like milk", implying it has not stood the test of time.
The renewed attention comes as Trump faces scrutiny over his handling of tensions involving Iran. During a recent interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, he defended U.S. actions while acknowledging concerns about involvement in the region.
Trump stated: "We shouldn't have been in Iran, but Iran has the capability. If we didn't hit them with B-2 bombers, nine months ago, they would have a nuclear weapon right now and will be a whole different story."
The interview also generated criticism online after Trump claimed the United States had "actually left [the Iranian] military alone." Critics quickly pointed to an earlier statement he made on Truth Social in which he said America had "completely destroyed Iran's military."
The contrast between Trump's recent comments and his decade-old tweet has fueled debate online, with many users highlighting the irony of his past warning that the country was a "rudderless ship heading for a major disaster" now being applied to his own administration by critics.
One X user said: “This aged like milk. Keep driving America towards disaster.”
Another added: “TRUMP IS A TODDLER! He’s very proud of himself for remembering how to spell DUMB. He had to share how smart he is w/the world. Poor, stupid, attention seeking Donald trump.”
entertainment news1 min(s) read
This week marked the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 19 Al-Queda militants hijacked four planes to carry out suicide missions, killing nearly 3,000 Americans. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center, one plane crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth plane, Flight 193, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The intended target was in Washington, D.C., but the heroic passengers fought back, regaining control of the plane.
On 9/11, Donald Trump and Melania flew to Pennsylvania to attend a memorial service for Flight 193. It was a solemn occasion to remember the forty passengers and crew members who lost their lives. However, when Trump approached the crowd at the airport, he gave a hilariously tone-deaf double fist pump. This sparked a backlash on social media, as the president looked more like he was attending a Poison concert than a 9/11 memorial service.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/dougmillsnyt/status/1039502832397963264]]
Whether you're a Trump supporter or not, you have to admit, his body language was wildly inappropriate. Had Barack Obama done that, he probably would have been impeached within minutes. Anyway, thanks to Twitter user @Rob_Sheridan, Trump's super-psyched expression became the internet's new favorite meme.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/rob_sheridan/status/1039567648219049984]]
Rob isolated Double Fisting Trump and tweeted the image out for a Photoshop battle. The internet did not disappoint.
America's real president rides the puppet
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ollyog/status/1039600692544057344]]
I'mma let you finish, but this is the greatest Photoshop of all time
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/partydino/status/1039762803010232322]]
TURN DOWN FOR WHAT
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/OfficialJonZal/status/1039576333255421952]]
What if he got excited about other horrific tragedies?
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/JenniferWillcut/status/1039633178351128576]]
I AM TRUMPHOLIO!
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/smakweasle/status/1039589354631561217]]
In space, no one can hear you tweet.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/imdwalrus/status/1039771519445073920]]
YAYYYY CHUCK E. CHEESE
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/techimnot/status/1039965947216506881]]
Hey, look. It's a metaphor for the Trump administration
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ricketiki/status/1039729128243650565]]
President Trump called the Puerto Rico hurricane response "an incredible, unsung success," despite almost 3,000 deaths
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/partydino/status/1039762108911702017]]
The Little Hands meet The Little Kicks
or: What's the deal with presidents lacking empathy?
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/themattmcd/status/1039588488960651264]]
Well, say what you will about President Trump, but he's great for the meme economy. Last week, an image of him scowling with his arms folded became a viral sensation. And yesterday, an image of his son, Donald Trump Jr., floating in a gator-infested swamp broke the internet.
Whoa! I just thought of something: Maybe President Trump knew he was going to become a meme, and that's he got so excited. He's not a narcissist lacking empathy; he's a prescient genius playing 4D chess. Well played, 'God Emperor.'