On September 15, 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump survived his second assassination attempt while golfing at his course in Palm Beach, Florida. Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was identified as the suspect. Secret Service agents, stationed a hole ahead of Trump, noticed the barrel of an AK-47-style rifle protruding from bushes along the course’s property line. Agents immediately engaged, firing at Routh, who fled, leaving behind two backpacks, a GoPro camera, and the weapon. He escaped in a black Nissan but was soon apprehended by Palm Beach deputies with help from a witness who photographed his car and license plate.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with Routh facing multiple firearms charges. Routh, originally from Hawaii, had reportedly been near the area for around 12 hours before the incident. His social media accounts were swiftly deactivated after the attempt. Reuters identified posts on platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn tied to Routh, suggesting his active support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. In one particular X post, Routh had even asked Elon Musk to sell him a rocket to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Black Sea mansion. He had previously traveled to Ukraine and spent several months recruiting Afghan soldiers to fight for Ukraine.
Routh’s past political activity also showed support for Bernie Sanders during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. However, he was critical of President Joe Biden, whom he referred to as “sleepy Joe,” while emphasizing that democracy was under threat from Trump’s political agenda.
Routh’s family expressed shock upon learning of the assassination attempt. His son Adam, who worked at a hardware store in Hawaii, stated he had no information about his father’s actions in Florida and was uncertain of the allegations. Another son, Oran, described Routh as a loving father and hoped the situation had been exaggerated.
Trump, who was 300-500 yards away from where Routh had positioned himself, was unharmed. The Secret Service quickly evacuated him from the golf course in a steel-reinforced vehicle. Trump later confirmed his safety via a statement sent to his followers, saying, “I AM SAFE AND WELL.” His running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, spoke with Trump shortly after the incident and reported that the former president was in good spirits.
This incident marked the second attempt on Trump’s life in just two months. In July 2024, Trump survived a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which left him with minor injuries and claimed the life of a man in the crowd.
As Trump continues his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, heightened security measures are expected. The FBI and local authorities are collaborating closely to determine Routh’s full motivations and whether further charges will be filed at the federal level. Despite these incidents, Trump remains defiant, asserting that such events will not deter him from his political goals.
