Who is Ryan Routh, man arrested for shooting at Trump
Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old Democrat supporter from North Carolina, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly attempting to assassinate Republican candidate Donald Trump. The incident took place at Trump's Florida golf course and involved an AK-47-style assault rifle. This marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in two months, following an incident in Butler, Pennsylvania where he was shot in the ear during a campaign rally.
Routh's criminal history
Routh, a former construction worker with no military background, has been open about his political views since 2019. He is known for supporting Ukraine, Democratic candidates, and causes, reports said. His criminal record dates back to 2002 when he was arrested for barricading himself inside a building with a fully automatic weapon in Greensboro. In subsequent years, he faced charges for driving without a license, carrying concealed weapons and possessing stolen goods.
Routh's involvement in Ukraine, political endorsements
Routh claimed to have traveled to Kyiv at the start of the war with Russia to support Ukrainians. He stated that he helped recruit people for the Russia-Ukraine war, saying, "We need everyone here fighting... that's why I'm in Kyiv." Prior to their withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, Routh was a supporter of both Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. He had urged them not to quit and continue their campaigns until Election Day.
Routh's criticism of Trump
In a social media post dated April 22, Routh criticized Trump, echoing a slogan used by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: "Democracy is on the ballot, and we cannot afford to lose." He urged then-candidate Biden to focus his campaign on preserving "America's democracy and freedom," accusing Trump of seeking to "enslave Americans under a master."
Routh's son hopes situation is 'blown out of proportion'
Speaking to CNN, Routh's son, Oran, expressed hope that the situation has been "blown out of proportion." He described his father as a loving and caring individual who is not known for violent behavior. "I don't know what's happened in Florida, and I hope things have just been blown out of proportion," Oran said.
