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Biden Discussed 9/11 Plans
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Biden Discussed 9/11 Plans

Wednesday marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks—a somber day for the nation that recalls the loss of 2,977 lives in a tragedy that forever changed the course of American history. This year, President Joe Biden's comments about the anniversary have sparked some confusion and online chatter after an awkward remark while speaking to the press outside the White House.

In discussing his plans with reporters on Tuesday, Biden mentioned, "I'll be doing 9/11," as part of his rundown of what he’ll be up to over the next 24 hours. The statement, casually dropped in the middle of outlining his schedule, included celebrating his granddaughter's birthday in New York and watching the evening’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. But it was his phrasing of "doing 9/11" that immediately caught attention.

The clip, which quickly circulated online, shows Biden moving from his comment about the 9/11 anniversary to his thoughts on the upcoming debate without missing a beat. He expressed confidence in Vice President Harris, remarking that she seemed “calm, cool, and collected” and would perform well during the debate. He added, somewhat coyly, "I'm not going to tell you what advice I gave her," leaving reporters to speculate about their conversation.

Yet, it was Biden’s offhanded "doing 9/11" line that stirred up reactions across social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Some users poked fun at the odd phrasing, while others connected it to long-standing conspiracy theories suggesting that then-President George W. Bush had foreknowledge of the 9/11 attacks—an internet rabbit hole that’s re-emerged over the years.

Adding to the surreal nature of the moment, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared alongside Biden as he made his remarks, offering an awkward smile that seemed to suggest she was already considering how she might address the president's slip-up in her next press briefing.

Jean-Pierre had previously outlined Biden and Harris’s plans for the anniversary, which include visiting the three major memorial sites: New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, crashed after passengers heroically fought back against the terrorists. These visits are part of the administration’s effort to honor the victims, first responders, and all who were affected by the tragic events of September 11th.

While Biden's remarks were likely just a verbal misstep, they come at a time when every word from the president is scrutinized under a microscope. Given the gravity of the day and its deep emotional resonance for so many Americans, his casual phrasing seemed to diminish the solemnity of the occasion for some listeners.

Written by Arthur Higgens - September 11, 2024