Summary
President Donald Trump claimed that he predicted the threat posed by Osama bin Laden before the 9/11 attacks in his 2000 book "The America We Deserve." Social media users criticized his remarks, as the book only briefly mentioned bin Laden without predicting a major attack. The White House has not yet commented on Trump's statement.
Key Facts
- President Trump spoke about Osama bin Laden during a U.S. Navy event in Norfolk, Virginia.
- He claimed to have warned about bin Laden in his 2000 book "The America We Deserve."
- The book makes a brief mention of bin Laden but does not predict a major attack.
- Trump's comments drew criticism and skepticism on social media.
- There is a passage in the book mentioning fears of terrorist attacks but without directly linking to bin Laden's role in 9/11.
- Concerns about bin Laden plotting an attack were already public knowledge in 2000.
- Trump claimed he discussed bin Laden with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though Hegseth was a student at that time.
- Newsweek reached out to the White House for a comment on Trump's statement.
