Second Assassination Attempt On President Donald Trump’s Life Fails, Trump Declares He Will ‘Never Surrender’
President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The assailant, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh from Hawaii, was armed with an AK-47 rifle and a GoPro camera, which he intended to use to record the attack. Routh positioned himself between 300 and 500 yards from Trump, using the scope of his rifle to target the former president.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the suspect was situated behind shrubbery, making him difficult to detect despite the security measures in place. The golf course’s perimeter was limited due to Trump’s status as a presidential candidate rather than a sitting president. If Trump were currently serving as president, the entire golf course would have been surrounded by security.
The Secret Service responded to the threat by firing four to six shots at Routh. It remains unclear if Routh fired back. After the shots were fired, Routh fled but was apprehended in Martin County shortly thereafter. He was found with the rifle, his GoPro, and two backpacks.
Routh has a history of donating exclusively to Democratic candidates since 2019. His political contributions included support for figures such as former Rep. Beto O’Rourke and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. His social media activity revealed a history of dissatisfaction with Trump, including critical posts about the former president.
The White House issued a statement confirming that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the situation.
Trump assured his supporters that he was “SAFE AND WELL” and reiterated his commitment to his campaign. Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, also expressed relief and gratitude.
The FBI has joined the investigation into the assassination attempt — as they’ve been so successful in the past — with ongoing efforts to determine Routh’s motives and any potential connections to other incidents. The Secret Service’s actions during the incident were commended, though there are calls for enhanced security measures in the future.
