9/11: When Trump bragged he now had 'tallest building' in downtown Manhattan hours after World Trade Center collapsed

'I have a window that looks directly at the World Trade Center, and I saw this huge explosion. I really couldn’t even believe it'

In the hours following the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, New Jersey’s local TV channel WWOR had Donald Trump on the line.

Known primarily at the time as a real-estate owner, Mr Trump was asked about one of his own buildings situated near the World Trade Center site.

It was just a minute into his phone interview, and the multi-millionaire spoke about the size of his property.

He said: “40 Wall Street actually was the second tallest building in downtown Manhattan, and it was actually, before the World Trade Center, was the tallest. And then, when they built the World Trade Center, it became known as the second tallest.

“And now it’s the tallest.”

He added: “I have a window that looks directly at the World Trade Center, and I saw this huge explosion. I really couldn’t even believe it.

“Now, I’m looking at absolutely nothing. It’s just gone. It’s just hard to believe.”