USA · 12 Sep 2026 · 04:24 GMT ·2 min read

Persistent 9/11 Conspiracy Theories and Their Impact on Public Discourse

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial aircraft.

NEUTRALITY 85 · BALANCED· 2 sources

DW English

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial aircraft. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people. NIST, MIT and Weidlinger Associates concluded that fire damage caused the towers to collapse. Despite these findings, some individuals continue to promote alternative theories. A 2023 YouGov survey found that 20% of Americans believe the US government was involved in the attacks. Public figures including Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Tucker Carlson have shared unverified claims about the events. These narratives often target Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Context

The September 11, 2001, attacks prompted the US invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. The United States also invaded Iraq in 2003. These military actions altered international relations and national security policies.

Supportive perspectives

Official investigations documented the structural failures. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Weidlinger Associates concluded that fire damage from plane impacts caused the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. This finding contradicts theories of controlled explosions.
MIT and Weidlinger Associates independently confirmed the findings of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Both studies identified fire damage as the cause of the collapse.
A 2023 YouGov survey found that 20% of Americans believe the US government participated in the September 11, 2001, attacks. This figure reflects the persistence of alternative narratives within the public.
Conspiracy theories have tangible social consequences. These narratives frequently target Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities. The persistence of these claims contributes to social friction and impacts the safety of these groups.

Critical perspectives

Political figures have repeatedly promoted unverified claims regarding the September 11, 2001, attacks. On November 21, 2015, Donald Trump stated he witnessed thousands of people in Jersey City cheering as the World Trade Center towers collapsed. Investigators found no evidence to support this assertion.
Donald Trump claimed in September 2026 that firefighters carried him away from Ground Zero during rescue efforts. He stated this occurred due to concerns about building stability. This assertion follows an unverified 2015 statement by Trump regarding Jersey City celebrations.
Media discussions continue to feature claims about the origins of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Tucker Carlson stated in March 2026 that Israel possessed foreknowledge of the events. No evidence supports this claim.
Several political figures have retracted conspiracy-based claims following public scrutiny. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned whether a third plane struck the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. She retracted the claim following public criticism.