Episode Details

The Pentagon’s 9/11 remembrance ceremony was supposed to belong to the 184 people who died there and the families who have carried their loss for 25 years. Instead, Donald Trump appeared to nod off during the ceremony, then used his memorial address to promote the Iran war. I watched that contrast unfold alongside Condoleezza Rice’s words about the lives behind every name, and I kept thinking about the country that once inspired people around the world to reach out and help us.

Based on the events of Sep 11, 2026

The Breakdown:

• Trump appeared to nod off during the Pentagon’s 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony, including the reading of victims’ names
• The 184 lives remembered at the Pentagon, including 125 people inside the building and three 11-year-olds aboard Flight 77
• Trump used his memorial address to promote the Iran war while speaking to grieving families
• Pete Hegseth followed with boasts about military operations against Iran
• Why remembering who carried out 9/11 matters when leaders invoke that tragedy to justify a different war
• All four living former presidents attended the Ground Zero ceremony while Trump attended the Pentagon
• The additional moment of silence honoring people who died from 9/11-related illnesses
• The New York Times account linking Trump’s venue choice to Ground Zero’s rule against political speeches
• Condoleezza Rice focused on the victims’ lives and acknowledged that those in authority had not done enough
• The CIA’s 71 newly declassified intelligence reports, which contained warnings but no exact attack plan or date
• The firefighters, police officers, Flight 93 passengers, and boat captains who chose to help others
• NATO allies invoked Article 5 after the attacks in an extraordinary act of solidarity
• Muslim, Arab, and Sikh Americans also faced backlash, including the murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi
• My memory of holding my one-year-old while international clients emailed to ask whether we were safe
• An overseas client offered my family money, and the compassion behind that offer stayed with me
• The question I asked a year ago—whether America is still the good guys—and what our leadership now represents
• Why ordinary people’s courage, decency, and votes remain the way to reclaim the country we want to be

This commentary represents my personal opinions and analysis of matters of public concern, informed by publicly available information. Any references to individuals constitute opinion and commentary protected under the First Amendment.