Pete Davidson Reflects on 9/11 Loss and Hosting Comedy Benefit

Pete Davidson is marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a mix of grief and optimism. The comedian lost his father, Scott, a New York City firefighter, when he was just 7 years old. In an interview, Davidson shared, "I thought, ‘Oh, he was an old guy. He’s 33.’ But now I’m there, and I have a kid, and that would be like my kid not having her dad." He welcomed his daughter, Scottie, in December with model Elsie Hewitt, and they agreed to name her after his father. Davidson mentioned, "It’s nice to keep that name alive." He expressed a desire to share stories about his father with Scottie, stating, "I have old videos and pictures and stuff, and I’m excited to share the classic stories I have of him with her." Davidson is set to host "NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Comedy Benefit" at Madison Square Garden on September 10, with proceeds supporting charities for first responders and their families. He praised his co-host Jon Stewart, saying, "Talk about someone who’s so New York and represents the tri-state area — and is just the barometer of goodwill." Davidson emphasized the importance of honoring first responders, saying, "You honor those people and always appreciate those guys. Those are real-life heroes." He also reflected on his experiences at America’s Camp, a therapeutic summer camp for children affected by 9/11, where he and his sister attended for several years. Davidson expressed concern over the "memefication" of 9/11, stating, "It’s this weird thing that happens in our country where a tragedy over time becomes a holiday." He aims to reclaim the anniversary through the comedy benefit, saying, "We want to reclaim the day and just have fun." Davidson believes New York's spirit remains strong, stating, "The one thing I know our city and our state are really good at is coming together and having other people’s backs when the chips are down."