Trump Attacks Haberman Over 9/11 Ground Zero Snub
President Donald Trump attacked New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman on Friday via Truth Social, calling her “Maggot Hagerman” and branding her a “stalker” and “scammer” after the Times reported he plans to attend a Pentagon ceremony on September 11 rather than the Ground Zero memorial in Manhattan. Trump falsely denied that scheduling concerns or a desire to speak influenced his decision, claiming he “never even thought of” skipping Ground Zero and that he would “love not to speak” despite his track record of dominating public events.
The Times reported that Trump’s team had previously conducted advance visits to the Ground Zero site and communicated his intention to deliver remarks to organizers. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum has prohibited elected officials from speaking at its annual commemoration for over a decade to maintain focus on victims and their families. Trump is instead expected to speak at the Pentagon ceremony, while Vice President JD Vance will represent the White House at Ground Zero.
Trump’s decision reflects logistical convenience: he is scheduled to depart for his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland the day after September 11, and flying from Joint Base Andrews in Washington causes fewer disruptions than departing from the New York area. The Times’ reporting directly contradicts Trump’s claim that he had not considered skipping the Manhattan ceremony or that external factors played no role in his choice.
Trump concluded his attack by demanding that Haberman, whose reporting on his administration has earned a Pulitzer Prize, be “forced to turn over any and all money that she’s made through her fake reporting” on him. Trump has previously attacked Haberman and journalist Jonathan Swan over their book documenting his second administration, revealing a pattern of retaliating against journalists whose work contradicts his public statements or depicts unflattering details of his conduct.