Staff Reports
A recent memorial ceremony for the victims of 9/11 turned into an impromptu campaign rally for former President Donald Trump, much to the chagrin of Vice President Kamala Harris, who was left trying to bask in the glow of some very lukewarm crowd support. While President Joe Biden and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg stood solemnly, the New Yorkers in attendance clearly had their eyes on the man whose name is practically synonymous with the city. Trump, amid calls of adoration from fans that included shouts like “We love you!” and “You won!”, was forced to acknowledge the crowd while they collectively ignored Harris, who attempted a few wobbly waves as if hoping for a crumb of enthusiasm.
This wasn’t just any old day on the calendar; it was the twenty-third anniversary of the terrorist attacks that shook the nation. Even after a feisty debate that left both candidates a little worse for wear, Trump and Harris shook hands, apparently united in their shared location, if not their political ideologies. The bizarre optics included a photo of Biden and Trump posing together with Bloomberg, just another reminder that politics makes for strange bedfellows—especially when the left just can’t seem to get New Yorkers excited about anything besides Trump.
New Yorkers beg for Trump back in front of Biden & Harris at the 9/11 ceremony pic.twitter.com/Imt6IUg4Nr
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 11, 2024
The backdrop of 9/11 continues to be tainted with political undertones, practically like an old, faded wallpaper that shows no signs of coming down. Biden’s previous claims of visiting Ground Zero the day after the attacks were met with skepticism, given that he was busy in Washington, D.C., while real heroes among New Yorkers were digging through rubble, trying to save lives. His dramatic recollections would be better suited for a Hollywood script than the reality of that day, but that’s not new territory for a man known for crafting grand narratives on shaky truths.
The current administration continues to stir controversy, and not just with windblown stories about their past. Recently, Biden’s people had to walk back a plea deal that would let the masterminds behind the 2001 attacks dodge the death penalty—a reality that incensed many Americans. The acknowledgment of potential mishaps in legal strategy seem almost laughable when it’s clear that the existential threat of radical evil remains a palpable danger. With Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin tossing the deal into the laps of judges, one has to wonder if the administration understands the gravity of these decisions any better than they remember the timeline of horrific events.
As both Biden and Trump set their sights on sites of solemn remembrance in Virginia and Pennsylvania, one thing remains clear: the stark divide in American politics is as glaring as ever. Trump appears to remain a beacon of nostalgia for many, while Biden’s leadership feels more like an exercise in rhetorical maneuvering. All the while, Harris continues her attempts to grab some of that limelight, coming off more like a wallflower at a high school dance than a commanding vice president. It might serve her well to reconsider her strategy, particularly on a day meant for reflection, lest the crowd keep cheering for the real show.
