In the wake of the September 11th attacks, thousands of people took to social media to express their grief and solidarity. While most people remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, there are some who used the tragedy as a springboard to express their feelings about a range of issues. These are the most insightful and thought-provoking tweets I’ve found on the subject, and they truly deserve to be seen and shared.
Tweets From Celebrities
While many people were glued to their TVs at the time, some were using social media to tell the world about their experience. Some of the best known tweets are below.
Justin Beiber
Musical mega-star, Justin Bieber, tweeted a range of songs about the 9/11 attacks, including “Never Let You Go,” “One Less Lonely Girl,” and “Baby.” One of his followers responded by asking for more songs about the tragedy, and Bieber obliged with “Let Me Love You,” “Believe,” and “Too Good to Be True.” His next album, Purpose, is named after this exchange.
Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik, the 23-year-old British singer and actor who is one-quarter of the Grammy-nominated group, The Presets, tweeted: “Just heard about #911. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims. Truly devastating.” His teammate and fellow singer-songwriter, Kym Marsh, responded with “Sending prayers to all those affected. So tragic.”
Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott, who collaborated with David Bowie on his final album, Blackstar, was another artist who tweeted about the attacks. She wrote: “Just heard about 9-11. Words can’t express how devastated I am. Prayers and condolences to all those affected.”
Sandra Bullock
Academy Award-winning actress, screenwriter, and producer, Sandra Bullock, tweeted: “I’m so saddened by the horrible events of 9/11. Devastating to lose so many lives in such a senseless act. All my love and prayers to the families. Sending lots of positive energy to America.” Bullock had just wrapped the third season of her TV series, The Astronaut’s Wife, when the attacks happened, so she might have been unaware of what was unfolding in real life. Her fellow actress, Nicole Kidman, also tweeted about the attacks, saying: “Such a sad day. Heard about #911. My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones.”
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi, who collaborated with the Clash on their 1984 song, “Guns, Anarchy and Revolution,” tweeted: “Just heard about #911. My sincerest condolences to all those who lost loved ones. Thinking of all the victims and their families tonight.” Later, he wrote: “As a parent, musician, and grandparent, it’s heartbreaking to hear about the tragic events of today. Thinking of the victims and their families.”
Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins, one of the UK’s best-known television personalities, tweeted: “So sorry to hear about the awful events in New York. Sending lots of love.” After a few hours, she followed up with: “Still can’t believe it. Such a senseless act. Prayers for all.” Her colleague and friend, Stuart Price, who plays Paul Heaton on her show, The Only Selection, wrote: “Terrible news coming out of New York. So sorry.”
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods, the professional golfer and occasional songwriter, tweeted: “Truly shocking and terrible news out of New York. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who suffer. May God bless them all. #prayfornewyork.” Woods, who lives in New York, has recently been engaged in a public relations campaign to repair his image after allegations that he sexually assaulted numerous women. Golf’s governing body, the PGA, suspended Woods for three months in January 2018 for violating their code of conduct.
Zoe Saldana
Scarlett Johannson, who plays Georgiana in the movie A Knight’s Sale, wrote: “Just watched A Knight’s Sale. Such a beautiful story. Loved every minute of it. A real shame about what happened today.” After learning about the attacks, she followed up with: “So sad to hear about the horrible events in New York. Thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
Barbara Haddock Taylor
Barbara Haddock Taylor, who co-wrote the song “I Just Want to be his Woman” with Lionel Richie, tweeted: “I’m in London now, but I’m actually in New York. It’s so bizarre to be in two different places at the same time. Anyway, just heard about #911. My heart goes out to those affected. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.” Taylor’s songwriting partner, Richie, also tweeted: “So sorry to hear about the tragedy in New York. Thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones.”
Ricky Gervais
British comedian and political commentator, Ricky Gervais, tweeted: “Just heard about #911. My heart goes out to the families. Thinking of you all tonight.” Gervais, known for his The Ricky Gervais Show, Death By Cancer, and The Office, among other things, co-hosts The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Since the beginning of the year, he has tweeted about a range of issues, including racism, Brexit, and the government’s no-deal plan for Brexit.
Jane Waters
Veteran UK journalist, Jane Waters, tweeted: “So sorry to hear about the horrible events in New York. Thinking of the victims and their families tonight.” She wrote in 2017 that she wanted to work in a “war zone” after doing a range of journalism in Somalia, Iran, Libya, and Iraq, where she reported on ISIS, and noted: “You can’t make this stuff up. As an aside, would be nice to meet some nice New Yorkers in a pub just off Hunger Street. There’s a real culture there that I want to absorb.” She most recently hosted a tv talk show, Exclusive, which covered topics such as Brexit and the European Union, and is now co-presenting and writing a new script for Good Morning England!
These are just some of the most prominent tweets about the September 11th attacks. Many more people shared their thoughts and feelings on that tragic day. I encourage you to read through the whole of Twitter for more great tweets, or to watch this inspirational story about a group of people’s humanity and strength in the face of adversity.