Fact Check: During 911 one of plain hit pentagon to hide massive unjustified spendings

The Claim: "During 911 one of the planes hit the Pentagon to hide massive unjustified spending"

Introduction

The claim that the Pentagon was deliberately targeted on September 11, 2001, to obscure financial mismanagement has circulated in various forms since the attacks. Proponents of this theory suggest that the timing of the attacks coincided with the announcement of missing funds within the Department of Defense, implying a conspiracy to divert attention from these issues. This article examines the context of the claim, the evidence surrounding the events of 9/11, and the various interpretations that have emerged.

What We Know

1. The Pentagon Attack: On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 AM, resulting in the deaths of all 59 passengers and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the building [[1]](https://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf)[[10]](https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-pentagon-9-11-conspiracy-theories-debunked). Security footage from the Pentagon corroborates this event, showing the impact of the aircraft [[3]](https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-911-pentagon-airplane-debris-598153051732)[[[5]](https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33V73MY)](https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33V73MY).

2. Missing Funds Announcement: The day before the attacks, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced that the Pentagon could not account for approximately $2.3 trillion in transactions. This statement was made during a press briefing on September 10, 2001, and has been cited by conspiracy theorists as a motive for the attacks [[7]](https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33UZ6HN).

3. Conspiracy Theories: Various conspiracy theories have emerged regarding the events of 9/11, including claims that the attacks were orchestrated by the U.S. government to justify military action and distract from financial scandals. These theories gained traction shortly after the attacks and have continued to evolve with the rise of social media [2][4].

4. Debunking Claims: Numerous investigations and fact-checking organizations have debunked claims that no plane debris was found at the Pentagon or that the attack was staged. Eyewitness accounts and physical evidence confirm that Flight 77 struck the building [[6]](https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a5659/debunking-911-myths-pentagon/)[[8]](https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-biggest-911-conspiracy-theories-debunked).

Analysis

The connection between the Pentagon attack and the announcement of missing funds is a focal point for conspiracy theorists. Critics argue that the timing is purely coincidental and that the financial discrepancies were already known and being investigated prior to the attacks [7]. The 9/11 Commission Report, which provides a comprehensive account of the events surrounding the attacks, does not support the notion that the attacks were a cover-up for financial mismanagement [1].

Furthermore, the assertion that the Pentagon attack was staged or manipulated has been widely discredited. The evidence, including security footage and eyewitness testimonies, strongly indicates that a commercial airliner did crash into the building, contradicting claims of a government conspiracy [3][5][6].

While the announcement of missing funds is a legitimate issue that has been scrutinized, linking it directly to the 9/11 attacks lacks substantial evidence. Additional context regarding the financial practices of the Department of Defense and the investigations into the missing funds would be beneficial to fully understand the implications of Rumsfeld's statement and its relevance to the attacks.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the Pentagon was targeted on September 11, 2001, to obscure financial mismanagement is false. Key evidence, including security footage and eyewitness accounts, confirms that American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, contradicting conspiracy theories suggesting otherwise. The timing of Donald Rumsfeld's announcement regarding missing funds is coincidental and does not imply a cover-up related to the attacks. Investigations, including the 9/11 Commission Report, found no credible link between the financial discrepancies and the events of that day. While the issue of missing funds is significant, it is unrelated to the tragic events of 9/11.

Sources

1. The 9/11 Commission Report. https://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf
2. 9/11 conspiracy theories - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9/11_conspiracy_theories
3. Posts falsely claim no airplane debris found at Pentagon. https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-911-pentagon-airplane-debris-598153051732
4. 11 September 2001: The conspiracy theories still spreading after. https://www.bbc.com/news/58469600?source=Snapzu
5. Pentagon security clip used to spread baseless 9/11 conspiracy theory. https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33V73MY
6. 9/11 Conspiracy Theories: Debunking Pentagon Plane Crash Myths. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a5659/debunking-911-myths-pentagon/
7. 9/11 anniversary prompts return of Pentagon conspiracy theory. https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33UZ6HN
8. The biggest 9/11 conspiracy theories debunked. https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-biggest-911-conspiracy-theories-debunked
9. 5 Compelling 9/11 Conspiracy Theories. https://www.history.co.uk/shows/road-to-911/5-compelling-9-11-conspiracy-theories
10. Attack on The Pentagon: 9/11 conspiracy theories debunked. https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-pentagon-9-11-conspiracy-theories-debunked