President Donald Trump is considering taking federal control of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum after victims’ families criticized the site’s funding and management. As first reported by the New York Times, two White House officials said preliminary discussions have begun, though it remains unclear how the federal government would assume control. During his campaign last year, Trump pitched designating the site as a national monument, and at a rally last September, said he wanted to ensure the “hallowed ground” and the memory of those who perished would be “preserved for all time.”
The museum’s leaders have rejected the idea. In a statement, Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the museum, told the Times: “At a time when the federal government is working to cut costs, assuming the full operating expenses for the site makes no sense.”
Marc La Vorgna, a museum spokesperson, questioned the legality of a federal takeover, telling the Times: “We are certain there is nothing in existing law that would give the federal government the unilateral ability to take the site over.”
Trump’s desire to take control of the site comes after years of criticism from some victims’ families, who have pointed to high ticket prices and salaries for museum officials. Families have also questioned where to keep the unidentified remains of some victims of the attacks. The president has met with some relatives and expressed sympathy for their concerns.
Admission to the memorial and museum is $36 for adults, with tickets including tours costing up to $56. The site offers some free tickets, including for 9/11 victims’ families and active or retired U.S. service members. There is also free admission exclusively to New Yorkers on the first Sunday of the month, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
IRS filings cited by the New York Post show that Hillman earned $856,216 in total compensation during 2024—a 63 percent raise in two years. The museum’s next four top executives earned between $432,958 and $486,298. Last year, the museum generated nearly $69 million in general revenues.
Hillman defended the pay, saying executive compensation at the museum lags behind similar institutions. However, she did not cite any specific organizations or salary figures.
The potential federal takeover would not be Trump’s first attempt to meddle in New York City affairs since retaking office in November. In April, his administration gave Amtrak control of the long-delayed Penn Station overhaul, effectively firing Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA. Last week, officials announced construction would begin in late 2027.
Trump’s ongoing fight against Manhattan’s congestion pricing program is also still underway. After he threatened to withhold federal funding for NY transit projects if the MTA didn’t end the tolls by May 28, a judge issued a temporary restraining order, ruling the administration cannot cut funding until the MTA’s lawsuit is resolved.
It also marks a continuation of Trump’s interventions in city and federal institutions. Last month, the administration announced a review of exhibitions at the Smithsonian and pledged to seek changes to programming it deemed “objectionable,” according to the Times. In February, Trump named himself chairman of the Kennedy Center and dismissed several board members appointed by President Joe Biden.
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