Trump’s Alleged Assassin Ryan Routh, 58, Echoed Biden and Harris’ Anti-Trump Rhetoric

A gunman allegedly targeted former President Donald Trump while he was golfing in Florida on Sunday afternoon, law enforcement officials reported.

The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, has a lengthy criminal record in North Carolina and is believed to have been motivated by political views opposing Trump.

According to law enforcement sources, Routh was seen near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach carrying a Soviet-style SKS assault rifle.

Secret Service agents opened fire, but Routh managed to flee the scene before being arrested by local police on Interstate 95.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Routh, who has been active on social media, is known for his strong anti-Trump sentiments and frequent political commentary.

In an April 22 post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “Democracy is on the ballot, and we cannot lose,” a phrase similar to campaign messaging used by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

This post, along with others, has raised questions about whether Routh was influenced by political rhetoric.

The suspect has a history of exclusively supporting Democratic candidates and causes.

Records show that between September 2019 and March 2020, Routh made several small donations through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, contributing over $140 to various campaigns. His social media posts also reflected strong criticism of Trump and his policies.

In one post from June 2020, Routh expressed disappointment with Trump’s presidency, despite having supported him in the 2016 election. “I and the world hoped that President Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we were all greatly disappointed,” he wrote. His criticism of Trump intensified over time, with increasingly aggressive language being used.

Routh’s posts not only targeted Trump but also supported Democratic leadership. In an April 2022 post, he advised President Biden to focus his campaign on preserving democracy and accused Trump of seeking to “enslave” Americans.

This echoed the rhetoric of Democratic leaders, particularly Harris, who has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting democracy on the campaign trail.

For instance, on August 29, during a rally in Savannah, Georgia, Vice President Harris declared, “We are fighting for our democracy.”

She had also made similar remarks in July at events in Houston, stressing that fundamental freedoms and democracy were at risk in the upcoming election. Routh’s statements closely mirrored these sentiments.

Tom Fitton, president of the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, criticized the alignment between Routh’s posts and Democratic rhetoric.

Fitton stated, “It is no coincidence that Routh repeated Kamala’s and Joe’s extremist rhetoric against Trump. At this point, it is inexcusable incitement.” The Biden and Harris teams have not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident.

Routh’s erratic behavior extended beyond domestic politics. His social media accounts contained numerous bizarre posts, including one directed at billionaire Elon Musk.

In a message to Musk, Routh inquired about purchasing a rocket to target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Black Sea mansion. He claimed the rocket could be “old and used” as long as it served its purpose.

Routh also expressed strong support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and claimed to have traveled to Kyiv. He posted about his desire to fight on the frontlines, though it remains unclear whether these claims were factual. In a 2022 interview with Newsweek Romania, Routh spoke about the need for foreign volunteers to support Ukraine, describing the conflict as “good versus evil.”

In another interview with Semafor, Routh expressed frustration with Ukrainians, noting that many foreign fighters struggled to integrate with Ukrainian military units.

He mentioned that foreign soldiers often left Ukraine after only a week due to difficulties in finding respect and appreciation within the ranks.

Routh’s political interests also extended to Republican figures, despite his opposition to Trump. He expressed support for Republican presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, urging them to continue their campaigns regardless of the election results. In a post, Routh encouraged them to “keep fighting” until Election Day.

Following Routh’s arrest, investigators are closely examining his social media activity and political motivations. The incident has heightened concerns about the escalating political polarization in the U.S. and the potential for violent actions by individuals with extreme views.

While Routh remains in custody, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of inflammatory political rhetoric. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and Routh is expected to face charges related to the attempted attack on Trump. The exact nature of these charges has not yet been disclosed.