'There can only be victory': Trump issues defiant pledge to honor 9/11 fallen

Much of his speech saw him recount the personal experiences of the victims and their families.

By Ben Whedon

Published: September 11, 2026 10:18am

President Donald Trump on Friday spoke at the Pentagon to honor the dead on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, saying that the nation had no choice but to pursue military victory to prevent another such event.

"Twenty-five times we have gathered at this hallowed place, and at ground zero in New York, and a lonely field near Shanksville in Pennsylvania," Trump said. "Time has not dimmed the honor of that day when our country came face to face with true evil."

"2977 beautiful souls were ripped from our world," he said. "Today we renew the sacred oath that we first swore in their names ... we will never, ever forget. That's why we fight today."

"We don't have a choice. There can only be victory," he went on.

Much of his speech saw him recount the personal experiences of the victims and their families.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.