President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the Ellipse, a public space near the White House, to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The event featured a 21-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center, a symbol of the attacks and the resilience of the nation. Trump began by commenting on the safety of Washington, D.C., stating it had become "one of the safest cities in the country" under his leadership. He then moved on to discuss the city's monuments and fountains before addressing the 9/11 attacks. Trump, who read from prepared notes, described the attacks as "etched forever into the memories of Americans." He then shifted focus to international policy, criticizing Iran and asserting that the United States has "punished them greatly" in its efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He claimed the situation had "gone so well" that "nobody thought it could go so well," a remark that drew applause from the audience. The president highlighted the story of Howard Lutnick, the current Secretary of Commerce and former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a firm that lost nearly 700 employees in the attacks. Lutnick narrowly escaped death because he had taken his son to school that morning. Trump noted this as a pivotal moment and described how Cantor Fitzgerald has since grown stronger and more successful. He also recounted a personal anecdote about being carried by a firefighter after the attacks, noting the physical challenge of being carried due to his size. Trump praised the efforts of first responders and emphasized the importance of law enforcement and "law and order," contrasting this with what he described as a preference for "communistic ways" by others. He also announced the delivery of a new coastguard cutter to New York, named after firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo, who died on 9/11. Trump said he did not want to negotiate too hard on the price due to the significance of Palazzo's memory. Alison Crowther, mother of Welles Crowther, a 9/11 hero known as the "man in the red bandana," was introduced by Trump, who humorously remarked that her son had become "more famous than me." Crowther spoke about her son's legacy, urging people to be "better, kinder and more compassionate," and to "choose courage, compassion and service." Trump concluded his speech by stating that "our country is bigger, better, stronger than before" and then left the stage wearing his signature "USA" hat.