Story perspectives

Trump awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther

9/9/2026

Left

Trump Awards Freedom

U.S. President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Welles Crowther at White House Ellipse on September 8, 2026.
The ceremony highlighted Trump’s disputed claim that two firefighters lifted him from an unstable building after 9/11, which a former fire official refuted.
Trump said building was creaking and that he could run himself, not needing firefighters.
A former fire official also denied Trump’s claim he helped clean the site after attacks.

Right

Trump Honors Responders

U.S. President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther at a White House Ellipse ceremony on September 8, 2026.
A new Coast Guard fast cutter will be named for Jeffrey Palazzo, an FDNY Rescue Squad member killed on 9/11, President Trump announced.
Crowther’s mother and sister accepted the medal, highlighting the family’s personal sacrifice.
Rep. Mike Lawler thanked Trump for honoring Crowther and all 9/11 first responders.

Center

Trump Awards Crowther

U.S. President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther at a White House Ellipse ceremony on September 8, 2026.
Bank of America pledged $250,000, as announced by Frank Siller, to fund the foundation’s veteran-housing villages.
Alison Crowther and her daughter accepted the medal for the 24-year-old equities trader and firefighter.
A 21-foot, 16,900-pound steel beam recovered from the South Tower served as the ceremony’s centerpiece.

Blindspot

Trump said two firefighters lifted him from an unstable U.S. Steel building after the 9/11 attacks and claimed he helped clean up the site, a claim that a former fire official disputed.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center- and Right-leaning coverage.

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Trump Awards Freedom

U.S. President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Welles Crowther at White House Ellipse on September 8, 2026.
The ceremony highlighted Trump’s disputed claim that two firefighters lifted him from an unstable building after 9/11, which a former fire official refuted.
Trump said building was creaking and that he could run himself, not needing firefighters.
A former fire official also denied Trump’s claim he helped clean the site after attacks.

1 / 4