An old clip of Donald Trump speaking on live television just hours after the 11 September 2001 attacks has resurfaced online, nearly 25 years on from the tragedy.

Background on 9/11

The attacks killed 2,977 people after four passenger planes were hijacked by al-Qaeda. Two aircraft struck the Twin Towers in New York, a third hit the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers. It remains widely regarded as the deadliest terrorist attack in modern history.

What Trump said in the interview

Trump, then a New York businessman, spoke to WWOR/UPN 9 News in the immediate aftermath, describing seeing a huge explosion as the towers were struck. Asked whether Trump Tower had increased security following the attack, he replied that the building had always maintained strong security but that little could be done to prevent planes crashing into buildings.

The conversation then shifted when Trump noted that his building, 40 Wall Street, had become the tallest in Manhattan following the collapse of the Twin Towers, explaining it had previously been the second-tallest building downtown before the World Trade Center was built, and had now reclaimed the top spot. According to Forbes, this claim was inaccurate at the time, as 70 Pine Street, located nearby, stood roughly 25 feet taller.

Reaction to the resurfaced clip

The clip has drawn strong reaction online, with one X user describing the response as evil, and others expressing disbelief that Trump raised the height of his own building so soon after the attack. One commenter noted that even in that moment, he found a way to highlight his property.

This week's anniversary

A memorial ceremony is taking place in New York this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks. According to the New York Times, Trump withdrew from the event after his administration was informed that political figures aren't permitted to address the crowd under the ceremony's long-standing policy. The White House said in a statement that Trump has spoken previously about his own experience of the attacks and would use the anniversary to honour those killed and pay tribute to first responders. Trump is instead expected to deliver a speech at the Pentagon.