Debate Over Whether America Could Unite After a New 9/11-Style Attack
The article contrasts the national solidarity seen after the 2001 attacks with the polarized reactions to recent political killings, questioning if similar unity could occur today.
The piece begins by describing the emotional atmosphere at a 2001 World Series game, where President George W. Bush’s first pitch was met with overwhelming public support and a 90% approval rating. It notes that, at the time, political leaders and most media voices emphasized national unity. The article then shifts to recent events, detailing the September 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus debate and the subsequent praise or justification from certain left-wing figures.
It also references the 2024 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione, noting the fundraising and hero narrative that followed. By juxtaposing these polarized reactions with the earlier post-9/11 consensus, the author questions whether America could again rally around a common cause after a comparable catastrophe.
Why it matters
It highlights how deep political polarization may prevent the collective solidarity once seen after major national crises.
In this story
