On September 15, 2024, President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club. Ryan Routh, 58, from Hawaii, was arrested after approaching the president with an AK-47 rifle.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reported that Routh was between 300 and 500 yards away from President Trump when the Secret Service intervened. Routh had equipped himself with a GoPro camera and was planning to film the attack.
Bradshaw criticized the golf course’s security arrangements, noting that they were inadequate for a candidate of President Trump’s prominence. “If Trump were the sitting president, the entire golf course would have been surrounded,” Bradshaw remarked.
President Trump reassured his supporters with a statement: “I am SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed relief, stating, “Violence has no place in America.”
Routh’s political donations indicate support for Democrats such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX).
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Trump’s running mate, commented on the successful prevention of the attack. This incident follows a similar attack in July, emphasizing the continued threat to President Trump.
The FBI is investigating the attack, and increased security is expected for future events involving President Trump.
