Donald Trump drew renewed attention during the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks after viewers watching the Pentagon memorial ceremony believed the president appeared to briefly nod off. Trump attended the Virginia ceremony instead of the official remembrance at the World Trade Center site in New York, where political figures have not been permitted to address the ceremony since 2012. As cameras focused on the president during the solemn event, clips showing him with his eyes closed quickly circulated online, prompting criticism from some viewers who questioned whether he was fully attentive. Others pointed out that a brief camera angle cannot establish whether someone was actually asleep, especially during a long and emotional ceremony. The moment nevertheless became one of the most discussed parts of Trump’s appearance as Americans gathered to remember the 2,977 victims of the attacks.

Trump’s decision to attend the Pentagon ceremony came after plans for him to appear at the New York memorial reportedly changed because of the site’s long-standing policy regarding political speeches. His appearance also came amid renewed attention to comments he recently made about his memories of September 11, including claims that he went to Ground Zero with construction workers shortly after the attacks. Those statements have faced questions from people who were involved in the rescue and recovery effort, including a former New York Fire Department official who said he had no knowledge of Trump bringing a large crew to the site. Trump has defended his account, saying he was there shortly afterward with construction workers. As the country marked the anniversary, the focus ultimately returned to remembering those who lost their lives, the families who were changed forever, and the first responders whose service became part of one of the most significant moments in modern American history.