Former President Donald Trump responded to criticism from families impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks over his decision to host a Saudi-backed golf tournament.
When asked about the criticism, Trump responded, “Well, nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing to our city, to our country, to the world.”
He continued, “So nobody’s really been there but I can tell you that there are a lot of really great people that are out here today and we’re going to have a lot of fun and we’re going to celebrate and the money’s going to charity.”
Check out his comments below:
"Well, nobody's gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing …"
— The Recount (@therecount) July 28, 2022
— Donald Trump when asked about criticism he's received from 9/11 families for hosting the Saudi-backed LIV golf tour at his club pic.twitter.com/CWrOr3B5VP
The former president explained he has “known these people for a long time in Saudi Arabia and they’ve been friends of mine for a long time … What they’re doing for golf is so great.”
The Washington Post reported that earlier this week 9/11 families released an advertisement criticizing Trump for hosting the tournament.
“How much money to turn your back on your own country?” one woman says.
Another called it “disgusting.”
The Post noted more than 100 of those affected by the tragedy will head to the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster next week to protest.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly funding the event.
Brett Eagleson, a founder of 9/11 Justice, told the outlet that were it not “for the support that these hijackers received from the Saudi government, then 9/11 would have never happened.”
He continued, “We want the golfers to know who they’re doing business with, who they’re getting in bed with; we want to be able to educate them and highlight the new evidence we have about the Saudi role in 9/11.”
The Wall Street Journal previously asked Trump for his response to families calling on him to cancel the event.
“I don’t know much about the 9/11 families, I don’t know what is the relationship to this, and their very strong feelings, and I can understand their feelings,” Trump said.
He added, “I can’t really comment on that because I don’t know exactly what they’re saying, and what they’re saying who did what.”