58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh has been detained in connection with an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Routh allegedly aimed a rifle at the former president while he was playing a round of golf. Although the Secret Service quickly intervened, firing at the suspect, Routh managed to flee before being apprehended on a nearby highway.
Routh, originally from North Carolina but recently residing in Hawaii, has a complex and troubling history that reveals a man deeply enmeshed in a mix of political disillusionment, conspiracy theories, and a fervent obsession with global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. His journey from a one-time Trump supporter to an individual accused of attempting to assassinate the former president is a tale of radicalization and mounting frustration.
Ryan Wesley Routh's background is marked by a series of contradictions. Once a supporter of Donald Trump, Routh later turned against the former president, describing him as an "idiot," a "buffoon," and a "fool" in his social media posts. In a 2020 tweet, Routh admitted to voting for Trump in 2016 but expressed regret, stating, "I will be glad when you [are] gone." This shift from supporter to critic reflects a broader pattern in Routh's life-a man whose political and ideological views have become increasingly erratic and extreme.
Routh's social media presence paints a picture of a man deeply concerned with global politics. His posts frequently touched on topics such as Ukraine, Taiwan, and North Korea, and he authored a self-published book titled "Ukraine's Unwinnable War: The Fatal Flaw of Democracy, World Abandonment and the Global Citizen-Taiwan, Afghanistan, North Korea and the End of Humanity." In this book, he criticized Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, describing it as a "tremendous blunder" that pushed Tehran closer to Moscow.
Ukraine, in particular, became a focal point of Routh's ideological fixation. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Routh traveled to Kyiv, where he participated in protests and attempted to recruit Afghan soldiers to join the fight against Russian forces. His attempts to engage with Ukraine's International Legion were met with skepticism, with representatives describing his ideas as "delusional." Despite this, Routh continued to advocate for Ukraine, frequently posting on social media about the need to "burn the Kremlin to the ground" and expressing a willingness to die for the cause.
Routh's obsession with Ukraine's conflict reflects a broader pattern of behavior-one in which his extreme views and sense of disillusionment seem to have driven him to increasingly desperate and dangerous actions. His fixation on global issues, coupled with his disillusionment with Trump, appears to have culminated in the events that led to his arrest.
Routh's troubled past extends beyond his political and ideological beliefs. Public records indicate a history of legal issues dating back to the 1990s, including charges related to the possession of a weapon of mass destruction, hit-and-run incidents, and tax-related disputes. In 2002, Routh was arrested after allegedly placing his hand on a firearm during a traffic stop and barricading himself in a business. Despite these incidents, Routh's family and acquaintances describe him as a "loving and caring father" and a "hardworking man," though some have recounted tense interactions with him.
In recent years, Routh relocated to Hawaii, where he operated a small construction business. His LinkedIn profile lists him as the owner of Camp Box Honolulu, a company that builds storage units and tiny houses. While his business pursuits may seem unremarkable, they stand in stark contrast to the increasingly militant and radicalized worldview that Routh espoused online.
The news of Routh's arrest has sparked a range of reactions, both from those who knew him and from the broader public. Routh's eldest son, Oran, expressed shock at the allegations, describing his father as a non-violent person. "I don't know what's happened in Florida, and I hope things have just been blown out of proportion," Oran told CNN. However, others who had interacted with Routh described him as increasingly erratic, with one business owner in Hawaii recalling a tense exchange over a construction project.
As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the full extent of Routh's activities and motivations. The FBI, Secret Service, and local law enforcement are working to determine whether Routh acted alone or if there are broader implications to his actions.
Routh remains in custody and is expected to face charges related to the assassination attempt on Trump. The incident has reignited concerns about political violence in the United States, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. Both Democrats and Republicans have condemned the attack, with President Joe Biden calling for a renewed focus on preventing political violence.
