Tim Mcgrady
More than two decades after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the day remains etched in the collective memory of the world. It was a moment of profound grief, shock, and national unity for the United States. But alongside the grief came something else: a torrent of conspiracy theories. While the official account—presented by multiple investigations and the 9/11 Commission Report—has been widely accepted, a subset of people continue to question the official narrative.
Here are 10 of the most controversial, bizarre, and crazy conspiracy theories about 9/11. These theories range from the speculative to the outright outrageous, but all have contributed to the ever-growing body of 9/11 conspiracies that continue to circulate online.
1. Inside Job: The Government Did It
Perhaps the most well-known and controversial theory is the claim that the U.S. government orchestrated the attacks as a false flag operation. Proponents argue that officials within the Bush administration allowed—or even planned—the attacks to justify wars in the Middle East and to expand domestic surveillance.
Supporters point to the rapid implementation of the Patriot Act and the invasion of Iraq as alleged proof of a pre-existing agenda. Critics call this theory offensive and baseless, pointing to a mountain of evidence that supports the official account.
2. Controlled Demolition of the Twin Towers
Another widely circulated theory is that the Twin Towers were brought down not by the planes, but by controlled demolition. Advocates cite the way the buildings collapsed—straight down into their own footprint—as evidence, claiming it resembles planned demolitions rather than structural failure.
This theory gained traction after the release of the documentary Loose Change, which suggested the planes were merely a distraction. Engineers and demolition experts, however, have consistently stated that the damage caused by the planes, combined with intense fires, was sufficient to cause the collapse.
3. “Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams”
This phrase became an internet meme, but it’s part of a larger theory suggesting that the fires from the jet fuel couldn’t have been hot enough to melt the steel structure of the World Trade Center. Thus, some claim the buildings had to have been sabotaged in other ways.
In reality, steel doesn’t have to melt to fail structurally. It only needs to weaken, which can happen at around 1,100°F—well within the range of burning jet fuel.
4. The Mysterious Collapse of World Trade Center 7
WTC 7 was a 47-story building that collapsed several hours after the Twin Towers fell. It wasn’t hit by a plane, which led many to question how it could have come down so completely. Conspiracy theorists argue this building was also brought down intentionally.
The official explanation is that WTC 7 was hit by debris from the North Tower and suffered extensive fires, which led to its structural failure. However, its collapse remains one of the most cited examples in 9/11 conspiracy circles.
5. The Pentagon Attack Didn’t Involve a Plane
Some believe that no plane actually hit the Pentagon. They point to the relatively small size of the entry hole and the lack of visible plane debris in early photographs. The theory goes further to suggest a missile or an internal explosion caused the damage.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage, as well as debris analysis, contradict this theory. American Airlines Flight 77 is officially documented as the aircraft that crashed into the Pentagon, killing all onboard and many in the building.
6. The Hijackers Are Still Alive
Shortly after the attacks, some media outlets reported that several of the named hijackers were still alive and living in the Middle East. This led to a theory that the real attackers either stole their identities or that the attacks were part of a larger hoax.
While these early reports caused confusion, subsequent investigations clarified that the apparent identity mismatches were due to common names, mistaken identities, or clerical errors.
7. No Planes Were Involved – It Was All CGI
Among the most extreme theories is the claim that no planes hit the Twin Towers at all. This “no-plane theory” suggests the media broadcast CGI-rendered footage and that explosions were pre-planned to simulate an attack.
This theory is almost universally rejected, as countless eyewitnesses in New York saw the planes hit the towers with their own eyes. Numerous independent video recordings, photographs, and aviation data back the official version.
8. The Stock Market and “Put Options” Theory
In the days leading up to 9/11, an unusual number of put options—a type of financial bet that a stock will fall—were placed on the stocks of United Airlines and American Airlines. Some believe that people with insider knowledge profited from the attacks.
While the SEC did investigate this anomaly, they found no conclusive evidence of insider trading. The trades were ultimately traced back to individuals with no known ties to terrorist groups or the U.S. government.
9. Israel’s Mossad Was Behind the Attacks
This theory claims that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad orchestrated or had foreknowledge of the attacks. Some versions of this theory cite the arrest of several Israeli nationals in the U.S. shortly after 9/11 and falsely claim they were “dancing” while filming the towers fall.
This conspiracy has been widely debunked and condemned for its antisemitic undertones. There is no credible evidence linking Israel to the planning or execution of the attacks.
10. The “New World Order” and the Illuminati
The most fantastical of all 9/11 conspiracy theories ties the event to the New World Order, the Illuminati, or other secret societies. Proponents argue the attacks were part of a master plan to usher in global control, eliminate privacy, and install a surveillance state.
Supporters of this theory often reference symbolism in U.S. currency, architecture, and the timing of events. However, these claims are almost entirely speculative and not supported by any concrete evidence.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings