Part 4/9:
One of the most provocative moments following the collapse emerged from conversations surrounding Larry Silverstein, the leaseholder of the World Trade Center complex. In a now-infamous sound bite, Silverstein mentioned a "decision to pull it," a phrasing interpreted by many as an acknowledgment of a controlled demolition.
Critics contend that Silverstein's words indicate prior knowledge or planning of the building's downfall. This has led to debates regarding whether firefighters were indeed ordered to evacuate the area, allowing the blaze to consume the building intentionally, or if he referred specifically to a demolition practice. The term "pull it" is typically understood within demolition circles to mean the controlled dismantling of a structure.