Pete Davidson is finding the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks particularly poignant this year, as he is now the same age his father, a firefighter, was when he died during the tragedy. Davidson, who was 7 years old when his father Scott died at the World Trade Center, recently shared that becoming a father himself has reshaped his perspective.

"I thought, ‘Oh, he was an old guy. He’s 33,’" Davidson told The New York Post. "But now I’m there, and I have a kid, and that would be like my kid not having her dad." His daughter, Scottie, born in December, is named after his late father.

Davidson is set to participate in a comedy benefit at Madison Square Garden with Jon Stewart, an event he hopes will offer a different way to mark the anniversary. "So, this year is extra tough, but also extra beautiful because I get to spend the day with Scottie," he said. "It’ll be very healing and special."

He also expressed a desire to "reclaim" the day and focus on joy rather than solely on the sadness often associated with the anniversary. "And not be in the middle of 12 documentaries that are so sad and rehash it," Davidson added.

Recalling his father, Davidson described him as "f-----g hilarious" and remembered him always having a big smile. His father's firefighting crew was reportedly the first on the scene at the World Trade Center, and many members of his unit died that day. Davidson keeps his father's badge in a safe, noting that it was used to identify him due to the severe burns.

Davidson's mother has shared stories and photos of his father, but he noted that having his father's presence constantly visible in her home could be overwhelming. He is still considering how he will explain his father's death to his daughter.

Reflecting on the broader impact of 9/11, Davidson expressed frustration with how the tragedy is sometimes trivialized on social media, particularly by younger generations who may not have a personal connection to the event. "It’s this weird thing that happens in our country where a tragedy over time becomes a holiday," he said. "And then sometimes I know the youth on the internet uses 9/11 memes as jokes. Someone will be like, ‘This song’s fire,’ and then they’ll post the towers… and we’re the ones that have to see that s--t all the time."

He acknowledged that while many people post photos on the anniversary to remember, "you guys have no f--king idea, actually," he stated, referring to those without a direct connection to the event.