President Joe Biden is once again under fire for claiming that he visited Ground Zero in New York City one day after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. However, this time, the backlash is coming from conservative commentators and politicians who are accusing Biden of lying and using the tragedy for his own political gain.
“I join you on this solemn day to renew our sacred vow, ‘never forget.’ … I remember standing [at Ground Zero] the next day and looking at the building. I felt like I was looking through the gates of hell.”
— Pres. Biden commemorates 9/11 at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska pic.twitter.com/reG0FPWwyJ
— The Recount (@therecount) September 11, 2023
During his recent address to US troops in Alaska on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, Biden emphasized the phrase “never forget” and spoke of the lives that were taken too soon by “evil” terrorists. He then claimed to have visited Ground Zero the next day, saying, “I remember standing there the next day and looking at the building. And I felt like I was looking through the gates of hell.”
Joe Biden today: "Ground Zero in New York — I remember standing there the next day (Sept. 12) and looking at the building. I felt like I was looking through the gates of hell."
Joe Biden was in Washington, DC on September 12, 2001:pic.twitter.com/nHycmnTomp
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 11, 2023
But as many conservative commentators have pointed out, this claim is false. Biden was not at Ground Zero the day after the attacks but was in Washington, D.C., where he spoke out as a US senator. This blatant lie has sparked outrage from many who feel that Biden is disrespecting the memory of the victims of the attacks and using the tragedy for his own political gain.
Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik was one of the first to call out Biden’s lie, saying, “This is a lie! [Biden] WAS NOT at Ground Zero on September 12, 2001.” Conservative communications pro Greg Price also chimed in, accusing Biden of lying and pointing out that the Senate convened on September 12, 2001, to condemn the attack.
Biden claims he visited Ground Zero on 9/12/01 to view the wreckage.
He was actually in Washington the whole time.
On 9/12/01, the Senate convened at 1:45pm to condemn the attacks. Later that night, Biden did a TV hit **from Washington** pic.twitter.com/DhNmp8kNxf
— John Hasson (@SonofHas) September 11, 2023
New York Post columnist Miranda Devine also weighed in, saying, “I can’t remember Biden being at Ground Zero on September 12.” And Townhall contributor John Hasson added, “Biden claims he visited Ground Zero on 9/12/01 to view the wreckage. He was actually in Washington the whole time.”
I can’t remember Biden being at Ground Zero on September 12 https://t.co/azrHheJtgS
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) September 11, 2023
Even Fox News contributor Guy Benson got in on the action, suggesting that Biden may have “poached” the memory and description from Hillary Clinton, who actually was at Ground Zero on September 12, 2001. And Senator Ted Cruz simply responded with “Um….,” while former Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker called Biden a “disgrace.”
While some have defended Biden, pointing out that memories can be hazy after 20 years, many conservatives remain furious with the president for what they see as a deliberate attempt to use the tragedy of 9/11 for his own political gain. And with the 2022 midterm elections rapidly approaching, it remains to be seen whether this latest controversy will have any impact on Biden’s already-low approval ratings.
