# George W. Bush 9/11 eyewitness accounts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/george-w-bush-911-eyewitness-accounts > Updated: 2026-09-11T20:30:20.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Accounts and footage have emerged detailing the moment former U.S. President George W. Bush was informed of the September 11 terrorist attacks while visiting Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. During a reading demonstration, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered to the President, ‘A second plane has hit the second tower. America is under attack.’ Witnesses, including former student Krystal Davis, noted a visible shift in Bush’s demeanor. Davis observed that the President appeared to mask his reaction to avoid alarming the children, noting he seemed to smile as if to say, ‘I don’t want to worry the children.’ Other witnesses, such as former director of the Office of Presidential Advance Brian Montgomery, recalled the immediate confusion within the presidential motorcade and the President’s subsequent communication with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. The accounts highlight the tension in the classroom as the administration began making security decisions during the unfolding crisis. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: George W. Bush informed of September 11 attacks during Florida school visit Video footage shows George W. Bush being informed of the September 11 attacks by Andrew Card while visiting a Florida elementary school, noting his effort to remain calm for the students. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/george-w-bush-informed-of-september-11-attacks-during-florida-school-visit ### 2026-09-09: George W. Bush 9/11 eyewitnesses recount moments at Florida elementary school Witnesses and former aides recount the moments President George W. Bush was informed of the September 11 attacks while visiting an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brian-montgomery-recounts-george-w-bushs-experience-during-911-attacks --- Cite as: George W. Bush 9/11 eyewitness accounts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/george-w-bush-911-eyewitness-accounts