Where’s Trump on 9/11? Not at Ground Zero.

Notably absent from the 9/11 memorial ceremonies on Saturday was former President Donald J. Trump, a native New Yorker who built much of his political brand in the divisive aftermath of the attacks. Mr. Trump was in New York City, his spokeswoman said, but was not planning to visit ground zero.

“He had the option to attend but decided to honor the day with different stops,” his spokeswoman, Liz Harrington, said.

President Biden, former President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton all attended the somber name-reading ceremony in Lower Manhattan. Former President George W. Bush spoke at a memorial near Shanksville, Pa., where Mr. Biden attended a wreath-laying ceremony.

But instead of appearing at one of the ceremonies, Mr. Trump released a series of aggressive statements that criticized Mr. Biden’s handling of the troop pullout in Afghanistan and praised his allies, including Rudolph W. Giuliani, his personal lawyer and the mayor of New York on the day of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Lee Cochran, a spokeswoman for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, confirmed that Mr. Trump had been given the same information about the ceremony as the other current and former presidents who did attend.

“You would have to ask Trump’s team about their decision, but he did not attend today’s commemoration,” Ms. Cochran said.

Mr. Trump spoke at a police precinct and a firehouse in Manhattan, reviving his criticism against Mr. Biden’s decisions in Afghanistan and delivering his usual campaign fare about crime in cities led by Democrats.

He was also expected to virtually address Let Us Worship, an evangelical event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., around 6:50 p.m., Ms. Harrington said. And he was set to provide commentary for a pay-per-view boxing match in Hollywood, Fla.

“I love great fighters and great fights,” Mr. Trump said in a news release for the event. “I look forward to seeing both this Saturday night and sharing my thoughts ringside.”