Donald Trump's 2nd assassination attempt: Who is Ryan Wesley Routh, the man who recruited fighters for Ukraine and supports Kamala Harris' party?
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Identity of Trump Golf Course Gunman
Ryan Wesley Routh has been identified as the suspect in an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. Routh allegedly carried an AK-47-style rifle and other equipment onto the grounds near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Incident Details
On Sunday afternoon, Routh was reported to have carried the rifle onto the golf course grounds and had two backpacks filled with ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera. Secret Service agents confronted Routh after spotting a rifle barrel sticking out from a fence, leading to a shooting incident.
Proximity to Former President
Authorities stated that Routh was approximately 300-500 yards away from Trump as he played golf with real estate developer Steve Witkoff. The Secret Service intervened before Routh could get closer to Trump.
Vehicle and Arrest
Witnesses saw Routh fleeing in a black Nissan, which was later tracked down by deputies in Martin County. The vehicle was stopped on I-95, and Routh was apprehended. The car contained two black backpacks, a GoPro camera, and the AK-47-style rifle.
(Pic Credit - Fox Digital)
Background and Previous Charges
Routh had a prior arrest in North Carolina in 2002 for an armed standoff with police, which involved a fully automatic machine gun. He was convicted on multiple charges and sentenced to probation. He later relocated to Hawaii, where he ran a construction firm.
Drug charges and other cases
Routh, a North Carolina native, has a history of arrests for offenses including simple drug possession, driving without a license, expired vehicle inspection, and operating a vehicle without insurance. Additionally, in 2002, the Greensboro News & Record reported that Routh was arrested after a three-hour standoff at his roofing company's office, which began after a traffic stop during which he placed his hand on a gun before fleeing.
Social Media and Recruitment Efforts
Routh's social media activity included support for Ukrainian forces in their conflict with Russia. He was involved in recruitment efforts for foreign fighters and ran websites promoting military involvement in Ukraine and potential future conflicts.
Political and Social Connections
Routh had previously supported several Democratic candidates, including Tulsi Gabbard, during her 2020 presidential campaign. His political donations were predominantly to Democratic figures, though he had not contributed to any campaigns since 2020.
Support for Democrat Party
According to New York Post, Routh criticized Trump in an April 22 post on X, declaring, “DEMOCRACY is on the ballot and we cannot lose.” He also urged Biden to focus his reelection campaign on preserving democracy and freedom. Routh’s rhetoric echoed similar themes used by Biden and Harris, with Biden’s slogan “We cannot afford to fail” and Harris’s rallying cry “We are fighting for our democracy.”