Donald Trump is incorrectly claiming Arabs in New Jersey openly cheered the 9/11 attacks
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump said Sunday on ABC's This Week that he suggested making a database for Syrian refugees, but that he couldn't rule out tracking all Muslims in the country in light of the Islamic State's Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.
Trump also doubled down on a claim he made Saturday, that Arabs in New Jersey were cheering on the 9/11 attacks:
When host George Stephanopoulos played Trump's above sound bite and repeatedly challenged his account, the presidential contender responded, "George, it did happen."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump's claim that he watched this footage on TV is rooted in myths that first circulated in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
Reports at the time showed cheers from in Middle Eastern countries, but news outlets in New Jersey didn't report anything similar happening in Jersey City, according to a New York Times search. There were reports suggesting people danced in the streets in Paterson, New Jersey, as the Twin Towers fell, but city police did not find any evidence to back up that account, The Record reports.
Listen to Trump's full phone interview with Stephanopoulos below. Julie Kliegman
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
-
The challenge facing Syria's Alawites
Under The Radar Minority sect that was favoured under Assad now fears for its future
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Biden's AI rules keep the genie in the bottle?
Talking Points A new blow in the race for 'geopolitical superiority'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Israel and Hamas reach long awaited Gaza ceasefire
The Explainer After more than a year of violence that has left tens of thousands dead and pushed the Middle East toward broader regional war, negotiators say an end is in sight
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Hegseth boosts hopes for confirmation amid grilling
Speed Read The Senate held confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary nominee
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden removes Cuba from terrorism blacklist
Speed read The move is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration, as it was Trump who first put Cuba on the terrorism blacklist in his first term
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea arrests impeached president
speed read Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained, making him the first sitting president to be arrested in the country's history
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP unveils bill for Trump to buy Greenland
Speed Read The bill would allow the U.S. to purchase the Danish territory — or procure it through economic or military force
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
DOJ releases Trump Jan. 6 special counsel report
Speed Read Jack Smith's report details the president-elect's "criminal efforts to retain power" amid the 2020 election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel, Hamas and US say cease-fire deal close
Speed Read A high-level cease-fire negotiation is gaining momentum in Biden's final week as president
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jimmy Carter honored in state funeral, laid to rest
Speed Read The state funeral was attended by all living presidents
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sentenced after Supreme Court rejection
Speed Read Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in the majority
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published