At the Republican Party's midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday, the atmosphere shifted from boisterous rally to solemn remembrance as emergency responders and military personnel paid tribute to those killed in the 11 September 2001 attacks. The crowd, typically animated, fell silent as an honour guard performed a bell salute, marking the eve of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Thousands gathered at the American Airlines Center to rally behind GOP candidates ahead of the crucial midterm elections, which will determine the composition of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. The convention has been a display of party unity, with Republicans rallying around Trump in an unprecedented show of support.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to visit the sites of the 2001 attacks on Friday, with Trump expected to deliver a speech at the Pentagon. The visits will coincide with the anniversary, a day of reflection for many Americans.
Commemorations across the country
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will hold its annual ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial plaza in Manhattan, where families of victims will gather to read aloud the names of the 2,983 people killed in the September 11 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The museum also announced it will introduce a seventh moment of silence to honour those who have died from 9/11-related health conditions, in addition to the six traditionally observed to mark the strikes on the towers, their collapse, the Pentagon attack, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
Earlier this week, President Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honour, to Welles Crowther, a 24-year-old equities trader and volunteer firefighter who died rescuing people from the South Tower. "Today, in honor of his incredible bravery and all of the other countless unknown acts of heroism that day, it is my privilege to award the very special, the highest honor that we give, highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. We want to award that to Welles and Welles' family," Trump said.
In New York, a poignant memorial took place on Wednesday when thousands of illuminated drones recreated the Twin Towers over the harbour. The artwork, titled "2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor," used 2,977 drones, each representing a life lost on 9/11. US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy called it a "breathtaking tribute" on X, adding that it "stands as a solemn reminder of America's resilience and the extraordinary courage of the heroes and first responders who gave everything." He concluded, "To the victims, their families, and all who served: We will never forget."
European expressions of solidarity
The anniversary has also resonated across the Atlantic. Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, wrote on X that the attacks "changed the course of history," noting that "the attacks on the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania shattered lives and fundamentally altered world affairs." She added, "A quarter-century on, Europe remains fully committed to strong ties with the United States."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed the city's solidarity with New York, posting on social media: "25 years on, London stands with New York, with love and solidarity." These messages underscore the enduring transatlantic bond, even as political dynamics shift. The midterm elections, which will shape the remainder of Trump's presidency, are being watched closely in European capitals, where the outcome could have significant implications for transatlantic relations. As Trump's proposed $5,000 dividend to voters suggests, the campaign is already generating headlines that resonate far beyond US borders.
