Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida
{{Short description|2024 foiled assassination plot}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Attempted assassination of Donald{{nbsp}}Trump in Florida
| partof = security incidents involving Donald Trump
| image = Ryan_Wesley_Routh's_Backpack_And_Rifle.png
| alt = Photograph of a black rifle, digital camera, reusable shopping bag, dark backpack against a chain-linked fence
| caption = Backpack and SKS-pattern rifle in concealed location
| map = {{infobox mapframe |coord={{coord|26|40|00|N|80|5|21|W}} |frame-width=250 |zoom=14}}
| map_caption = Location of the incident
| location = Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
| target = Donald Trump{{Cite news |date=September 23, 2024 |title=U.S. to seek attempted assassination charge against man accused of staking out Trump at golf course |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/u-s-to-seek-attempted-assassination-charge-against-man-accused-of-staking-out-trump-at-golf-course-1.7048339 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |publisher=CTV News via Associated Press |last1=Tucker |first1=Eric |last2=Richer |first2=Alanna Durkin |last3=Matat |first3=Stephany |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923223554/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/u-s-to-seek-attempted-assassination-charge-against-man-accused-of-staking-out-trump-at-golf-course-1.7048339 |url-status=live}}
| coordinates = {{coord|26|40|00|N|80|5|21|W}}
| date = {{Start date and age|2024|09|15}}
| time = 1:31{{nbsp}}p.m.
| timezone = UTC−04:00
| type = Assassination attempt{{Cite news |last1=Rozsa |first1=Lori |last2=Berman |first2=Mark |last3=Stein |first3=Perry |last4=Barrett |first4=Devlin |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Trump gunman said to have left note: 'This was an assassination attempt' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/09/23/trump-ryan-routh-florida-threat/ |access-date=September 23, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923133921/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/09/23/trump-ryan-routh-florida-threat/ |url-status=live}}
| fatalities = 0
| injuries = 1 (allegedly){{efn|Routh has been charged with attempted felony murder for allegedly causing a traffic stop that resulted in a car accident which seriously injured a child. However, including this a casualty depends on whether or not Routh is convicted on this charge.}}
| accused = Ryan Wesley Routh
| charges = {{Collapsible list
| title = {{nobold|8 counts}}
| bullets = on
| Attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate
| Attempted first-degree murder
| Assaulting a federal officer
| Criminal possession of a firearm (×3)
| Attempted felony murder}}
| weapon = SKS-style rifle
| motive = Under investigation
}}
{{Donald Trump series|expanded=Campaigns}}
On September 15, 2024, Donald Trump, the then-former president of the United States and then-nominee of the Republican Party in the 2024 presidential election, survived an alleged assassination attempt while golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. A suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was spotted hiding in nearby shrubbery while aiming a rifle at a member of Trump's security detail.{{Cite web |last=Lapointe |first=Markenzy |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Written Factual Proffer in Support of Pretrial Detention |url=https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/Ryan-Routh-DOJ-Detention-Memo-Manifesto.pdf |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Fox News |publisher=FOX Television Stations |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923131113/https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/Ryan-Routh-DOJ-Detention-Memo-Manifesto.pdf |url-status=live}} A Secret Service agent fired upon Routh, who fled the scene and was later captured in Martin County.{{Cite news |last1=Devine |first1=Curt |last2=Chapman |first2=Isabelle |last3=Medina |first3=Daniel |last4=de puy Kamp |first4=Majlie |last5=Glover |first5=Scott |last6=Ash |first6=Audrey |last7=Kuznia |first7=Rob |display-authors=2 |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Man detained in apparent assassination attempt on Trump criticized former president on social media |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/15/politics/trump-attempted-assassination-man-detained/index.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |agency=CNN |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916140052/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/15/politics/trump-attempted-assassination-man-detained/index.html |url-status=live}} No injuries were reported.
Officials say that Routh intended to shoot Trump,{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Ryan Wesley Routh Indicted for Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump |publisher=United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ryan-wesley-routh-indicted-attempted-assassination-former-president-trump |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005155511/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ryan-wesley-routh-indicted-attempted-assassination-former-president-trump |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Holmes |first1=Kristen |last2=Millar |first2=John |last3=Sullivan |first3=Kate |last4=Perez |first4=Evan |last5=Herb |first5=Jeremy |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump is safe following shooting at Florida golf course; suspect detained |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/15/politics/donald-trump-safe-shots/index.html |accessdate=September 15, 2024 |website= |publisher=CNN |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916114908/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/15/politics/donald-trump-safe-shots/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Shen |first1=Michelle |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Paul |last3=D'Antonio |first3=Isabelle |last4=Forrest |first4=Jack |last5=Chowdhury |first5=Maureen |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Live updates: FBI investigating apparent assassination attempt of Trump in Florida |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-harris-election-09-15-24#h_4f53b4d1d98c619701bc6972be8d28a8 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website= |publisher=CNN |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916133704/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-harris-election-09-15-24#h_4f53b4d1d98c619701bc6972be8d28a8 |url-status=live}} and Routh had been indicted on five federal charges by September 24, including attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate. The incident occurred two months after Trump survived a previous assassination attempt while speaking at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. Routh was charged with attempted first-degree murder and terrorism as a result. Routh has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a preliminary trial date has been set for September 8, 2025.{{cite web |last1=Shields |first1=Malcolm |title=Federal judge sets trial date for Ryan Routh |url=https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-trial-date-for-ryan-routh-set-for-september-2025/63274019 |website=WPBF |access-date=December 24, 2024}} Routh could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Kaitlin |date=November 4, 2024 |title=Trump Suspect Ryan Routh Predicts Civil War if Donald Wins |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ryan-routh-palm-beach-donald-trump-attempted-assassination-election-1980078 |access-date=November 4, 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}
Background
The Trump International Golf Club had been noted as a potential target for attempts on Trump's life.{{Cite news |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |last2=Leonnig |first2=Carol D. |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump was golfing at his club when Secret Service agents heard gunshots |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/09/15/2024-election-campaign-updates-harris-trump/#link-F5YECMGDNBE3RAZ22BXBC7FNNM |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916185240/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/09/15/2024-election-campaign-updates-harris-trump/#link-F5YECMGDNBE3RAZ22BXBC7FNNM |url-status=live}} Officials told Trump that if photographers could get a clear view of him, potential gunmen could do the same. The incident occurred 64 days after a previous assassination attempt on Trump at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, in which he was shot and wounded in his upper right ear by a 20-year-old sniper, Thomas Matthew Crooks.{{Cite web |last1=McGraw |first1=Meridith |last2=Allison |first2=Natalie |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump safe after gunshots reported near Florida golf club |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/15/trump-gunshots-florida-golf-club-00179228 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Politico |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916150817/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/15/trump-gunshots-florida-golf-club-00179228 |url-status=live}} Law enforcement officials said that the golf course's perimeter was not fully secured as Trump was not an incumbent president.{{Cite web |title='The Secret Service needs more help': Trump protection scrutinized after apparent assassination attempt |date=September 16, 2024 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/politics/secret-service-trump-second-assassination-attempt/index.html |work=CNN |first1=Jeremy |last1=Herb |first2=Zachary |last2=Cohen |first3=Kevin |last3=Liptak |access-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917000704/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/politics/secret-service-trump-second-assassination-attempt/index.html |url-status=live}} The Secret Service did not search the perimeter of the golf course, as Trump's visit there was not a scheduled event.{{Cite web |title=Secret Service Admits Not Searching Golf Course Perimeter, Drawing New Scrutiny |date=September 16, 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/us/politics/secret-service-scrutiny-trump.html |first=Kate |last=Kelly |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923083315/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/us/politics/secret-service-scrutiny-trump.html |url-status=live}}
On September 12, Trump posted on X (formerly Twitter) about a planned event at his golf club on September 16 to introduce the crypto platform World Liberty Financial.{{Cite web |title=Apparent Assassination Attempt on Trump Sparks Unfounded Claims of 'Inside Job' |date=September 26, 2024 |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2024/09/apparent-assassination-attempt-on-trump-sparks-unfounded-claims-of-inside-job/ |first=Uzma |last=Afreen |work=FactCheck.org |access-date=December 19, 2024}}
Incident
On September 15, 2024, Trump was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach with his friend and donor Steve Witkoff.{{Cite web |last1=Traylor |first1=Jake |last2=Dienst |first2=Jonathan |last3=Winter |first3=Tom |last4=O'Donnell |first4=Kelly |last5=Atkins |first5=Chloe |last6=Marquez |first6=Alexandra |last7=Lebowitz |first7=Megan |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump safe after suspect in apparent assassination attempt arrested with AR-style rifle, scope and GoPro |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-campaign-says-former-president-safe-possible-gunshots-vicinity-rcna171206 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916133735/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-campaign-says-former-president-safe-possible-gunshots-vicinity-rcna171206 |url-status=live}} Trump was walking along the fifth hole when a Secret Service agent conducted a sweep of the sixth hole ahead of him for any threats. During the sweep, Routh was seen aiming a rifle at the agent while hiding in shrubs approximately {{convert|400|yd|m}} away.{{Cite web |title=Donald Trump latest: Man in custody and AK-47-style weapon found after 'apparent assassination attempt' on Trump |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8dp10d4vq2t |access-date=September 16, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915235112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8dp10d4vq2t |url-status=live}} The position in which Routh had been is well-known as a spot frequently used by paparazzi to photograph Trump at his golf course.{{Cite web |first=Andrew |last=Buncombe |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Trump's would-be assassin was found in spot used by paparazzi for years |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/17/donald-trump-assassination-golf-course-security-ryan-routh/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918014507/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/17/donald-trump-assassination-golf-course-security-ryan-routh/ |url-status=live}} At 1:31 p.m. EDT{{cite news |first=Susie |last=Coen |title=Suspect in Trump assassination attempt lay in wait for 12 hours |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-suspect-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-laughs/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=September 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103446/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-suspect-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-laughs/ |url-status=live}} (approximately 12 hours after Routh's 1:59 a.m. arrival),{{Cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Terry |last2=Matat |first2=Stephany |last3=Tucker |first3=Eric |last4=Richer |first4=Alanna Durkin |last5=Long |first5=Colleen |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-fee81d8bcf737bfcde2ee8e5cea88465 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=Associated Press |language=en}} the agent, having seen the rifle barrel move, fired at Routh, who dropped his weapon and fled in a vehicle.{{cite web |first1=Alanna Durkin |last1=Richer |first2=Colleen |last2=Long |first3=Eric |last3=Tucker |first4=Zeke |last4=Miller |first5=Stephany |last5=Matat |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI says |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Associated Press |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916133839/https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9 |url-status=live}} After the shot was fired, Trump was escorted off the course by his Secret Service protective detail. Routh did not have a clear line of sight on Trump and did not fire his gun.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/16/us/trump-shooting-news/6fc3a443-37c6-5813-b38a-fdb4cecbc538?smid=url-share |first=Adam |last=Goldman |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Officials Say Suspect Never Had Sight of Trump on Golf Course |access-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916223833/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/16/us/trump-shooting-news/6fc3a443-37c6-5813-b38a-fdb4cecbc538?smid=url-share |url-status=live}} A witness, who was driving to a nearby furniture store at the time of the incident, saw him running out of the woods and into a black car. He took a photo of the suspect's vehicle, assisting authorities in tracking it down.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2024 |last=Stepansky |first=Joseph |title=FBI probing shooting at Trump's golf course as 'attempted assassination' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/15/us-election-news-trump-safe-after-shooting-near-his-florida-golf-course?update=3180717 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916123101/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/15/us-election-news-trump-safe-after-shooting-near-his-florida-golf-course?update=3180717 |url-status=live}} The golf course was locked down shortly after the incident, and no injuries were reported.{{Cite web |last1=Faulders |first1=Katherine |last2=Scott |first2=Rachel |last3=Date |first3=Jack |last4=Sarnoff |first4=Leah |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump is 'safe' after gunshots near his Florida golf club, campaign says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-safe-after-shooting-mar-lago-campaign/story?id=113704100 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916140300/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-safe-after-shooting-mar-lago-campaign/story?id=113704100 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Fuhrman |first=Dillon |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Former President Donald Trump reported safe following shooting near his vicinity |url=https://kyma.com/news/breaking-news/2024/09/15/former-president-donald-trump-reported-safe-following-shooting-near-his-vicinity/ |access-date=September 15, 2024 |language=en-US |via=KYMA-DT |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916154020/https://kyma.com/news/breaking-news/2024/09/15/former-president-donald-trump-reported-safe-following-shooting-near-his-vicinity/ |url-status=live}}
After Routh fled the scene, a "be on the lookout" was issued to law enforcement with details about the suspect's car, a black Nissan Xterra SUV. At 2:22 p.m, after pulling over the vehicle on Interstate 95 in Martin County, Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies Nicholas Shaw and Gedeon Brenovil forced Routh out of the car and arrested him at gunpoint.{{Cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Todd |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Martin County deputies detail how they arrested suspect in attempted assassination of Donald Trump |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/martin-county-deputies-detail-how-they-arrested-suspect-in-attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump |access-date=December 10, 2024 |website=WPTV-TV}}{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Viviana |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Martin County Sheriff's Office arrests suspect after 'attempted assassination' at Trump golf club |url=https://www.wpbf.com/article/suspect-in-custody-in-martin-county/62213883 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=WPBF |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916132400/https://www.wpbf.com/article/suspect-in-custody-in-martin-county/62213883 |url-status=live}} According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Routh was detained as a person of interest while he was driving northbound on Interstate 95 from Palm Beach County.{{Cite web |last1=Mazzei |first1=Patricia |last2=Swan |first2=Jonathan |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |last4=Goldman |first4=Adam |last5=Thrush |first5=Glenn |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump Safe After Shooting Reported at His Golf Course |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-shooting-golf-course.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916131606/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-shooting-golf-course.html |url-status=live}} The sheriff's units "waited [for] a while" to stop the vehicle to avoid engaging in a high-speed chase. Seventeen cell-phones were found inside Routh's vehicle. An SKS-style rifle with a removed serial number, a scope, two backpacks containing ceramic tiles that could deflect a bullet, a plastic bag containing food, and a GoPro camera, were recovered at the scene.{{cite web |last1=Halpert |first1=Madeline |last2=Peter |first2=Laurence |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump rushed to safety and suspect held after man spotted with rifle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rllnd1pypo |accessdate=September 16, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916013153/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rllnd1pypo |url-status=live}} Routh was unarmed at the time of his arrest.{{Cite news |last1=Armitage |first1=Rebecca |last2=Vyas |first2=Heloise |last3=Hewson |first3=Georgie |date=September 15, 2024 |title=LIVE: FBI investigates potential assassination attempt on Trump after shots fired near his Florida golf course |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-16/shots-reported-near-donald-trump/104354696 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916150635/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-16/shots-reported-near-donald-trump/104354696 |url-status=live}}
After Routh's arrest, Donald Trump contacted the Martin County Sheriff's Office and requested that those involved in Routh's apprehension join him at Mar-a-Lago so he could personally thank them for their work. Each deputy signed a pair of black handcuffs and gave them to Trump. Lieutenant Travis Dykes stated that there could have been a potential disaster if the police department didn't work together as a group. Sheriff William Snyder told WPTV that he "could not be more proud of his crew".
Accused
{{Main|Ryan Wesley Routh}}
File:Arrest of Ryan Wesley Routh.jpg
Shortly after the incident, authorities identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old Hawaii resident who lived for most of his life in Greensboro, North Carolina.{{Cite web |last1=Goldman |first1=Adam |last2=Gibbons-Neff |first2=Thomas |last3=Thrush |first3=Glenn |last4=Rahim |first4=Najim |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Suspected Gunman Said He Was Willing to Fight and Die in Ukraine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-shooting-suspect-routh.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916044405/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-shooting-suspect-routh.html |url-status=live}}
Routh had a history of political activity online and offline, with his political engagement dating back to at least 1989. Voting records showed that he did not vote in the 2016 elections,{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Contrary To Online Claims, Trump Suspect Is Registered Independent Voters |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/contrary-to-online-claims-trump-suspect-is-registered-independent-voter-200019a6 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Barron's |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918094902/https://www.barrons.com/news/contrary-to-online-claims-trump-suspect-is-registered-independent-voter-200019a6 |url-status=live}} but in a 2020 Twitter post, he claimed to have voted for Trump in 2016 and later regretted it.{{Cite news |last1=Mikkelsen |first1=Emily |last2=Skipper |first2=Elijah |last3=Melrose |first3=Justyn |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Greensboro neighbor describes man accused of attempting Trump assassination, says 'a lot of people were afraid of him' |url=https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/trump-shooting-attempt-suspect-had-lengthy-criminal-history-in-north-carolina-records-show/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=Fox 8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917012254/https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/trump-shooting-attempt-suspect-had-lengthy-criminal-history-in-north-carolina-records-show/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024}} In a self-published ebook in 2023, he wrote about his supposed previous support for Trump, saying, "I am man enough to say that I misjudged and made a terrible mistake."{{Cite magazine |last=De Guzman |first=Chad |date=September 16, 2024 |title=What We Know—and Don't Know—So Far About the Trump Golf Course Shooter |url=https://time.com/7021494/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-golf-course-shooter-politics-iran-ukraine/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916162858/https://time.com/7021494/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-golf-course-shooter-politics-iran-ukraine/ |url-status=live}} He reached out to Iran in his book, saying they should feel free to assassinate Trump for the United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as well as Routh himself for supporting Trump in the past.{{Cite news |date=September 16, 2024 |first1=Michael |last1=Biesecker |first2=Audrey |last2=McAvoy |first3=Bernard |last3=Condon |first4=Michael R. |last4=Sisak |title=Man who appeared intent on killing Trump wrote a book urging Iran to assassinate the ex-president |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ukraine-f76ed09f256f6bd21727a10901d92af7 |work=Associated Press |access-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917000731/https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ukraine-f76ed09f256f6bd21727a10901d92af7 |url-status=live}} Routh condemned the January 6 Capitol attack as being "perpetrated by Donald Trump and his undemocratic posse".{{Cite news |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Suspect in Apparent Trump Assassination Plot Crusaded for Many Causes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/us/trump-suspect-golf-course-routh.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 17, 2024 |first1=Patricia |last1=Mazzei |first2=Thomas |last2=Gibbons-Neff |first3=Eduardo |last3=Medina |first4=Glenn |last4=Thrush |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916234140/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/us/trump-suspect-golf-course-routh.html/ |url-status=live}}
After his disillusionment with Trump, Routh announced his support for various presidential opponents of Trump, including both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.{{Cite web |last=Licon |first=Adriana |date=September 15, 2024 |title=5 things to know about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump at one of his golf courses |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-to-know-564c56e167c3cdc6c50f6a2e91db9a6c |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Associated Press |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916004117/https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-to-know-564c56e167c3cdc6c50f6a2e91db9a6c |url-status=live}} Additionally, Routh donated $140 to Democratic causes since 2019. He registered in North Carolina as an independent voter in 2012. He voted in North Carolina's Democratic primary elections in 2024.
Routh had multiple prior criminal charges, including a 2002 conviction for "possessing a weapon of mass death and destruction" after barricading himself in a building with a fully automatic weapon. As part of a plea deal, he agreed to undergo a mental health evaluation and accept recommended treatments. He had over one hundred criminal counts filed against him in North Carolina, which included driving violations and possession of stolen items. Routh typically received parole or probation for his offenses, with no record of time that he was in prison.{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Dennis |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Man in custody after Trump golf club incident was once convicted of possessing a machine gun |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-routh-custody-trump-golf-club-incident-rcna171225 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916010405/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-routh-custody-trump-golf-club-incident-rcna171225 |url-status=live}}
Routh and his son, Oran Alexander Routh, had had a falling out and had not talked prior to the alleged assassination attempt, although following the attempt Oran said that his father was "a loving and caring father, and honest, hardworking man" and that "it doesn't sound like the man I know to do anything crazy, much less violent".{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Myriam |date=September 16, 2024 |title='Not the man I know': Ryan Routh 'isn't violent' but does hate Trump, reveals son |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/ryan-wesley-routh-son-trump-hate-b2613510.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=The Independent}}
Investigation
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After being arrested as the potential suspect, Routh was charged with two offenses: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.{{Cite web |last1=Picheta |first1=Rob |last2=Yeung |first2=Rob |last3=Rebane |first3=Teele |last4=Harvey |first4=Lex |date=September 16, 2024 |title=What we know about Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the apparent second Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/us/ryan-routh-trump-what-we-know-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} Less than a day after the arrest, he was seen smiling and laughing with his lawyer.{{cite news |last=Coen |first=Susie |title=Suspect in Trump assassination attempt laughs in court |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-suspect-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-laughs/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=September 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103446/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-suspect-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-laughs/ |url-status=live}} Footage of his arrest was also released to the public.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Stephen |title=Bodycam video shows arrest of suspect in apparent Trump attempted assassination |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-assassination-attempt-bodycam-suspect-ryan-routh-arrested/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=September 16, 2024 |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916185714/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-assassination-attempt-bodycam-suspect-ryan-routh-arrested/ |url-status=live}} Routh was charged on September 24 with attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, as well as "assaulting a federal officer" and "possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence".{{Cite web |last1=Schonfeld |first1=Zach |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Trump suspect charged with attempted assassination, case lands in Cannon's court |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4897556-trump-suspect-attempted-assassination/ |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en}} On December 18, Routh was additionally charged with "attempted felony murder" after it was discovered that Routh caused traffic closure while fleeing the scene, which resulted in a traffic crash that injured a 6-year-old girl who was traveling with her family.{{Cite web |last1=Sorace |first1=Stephen |date=December 19, 2024 |title=New charge against Ryan Routh, suspect in attempted Trump assassination |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-charge-against-ryan-routh-suspect-in-attempted-trump-assassination |access-date=December 19, 2024 |website=Fox News |language=en}}
On September 23, 2024, the Department of Justice published the letter written by Routh several months prior to his arrest; it stated:{{Cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Eric |last2=Richer |first2=Alanna Durkin |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Feds: Man accused in apparent assassination left wrote note indicating he intended to kill Trump |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-florida-fbi-justice-department-1295144a65f46059ce39b4ccd7288fbc |work=Associated Press |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923125325/https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-florida-fbi-justice-department-1295144a65f46059ce39b4ccd7288fbc |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Goudsward |first=Andrew |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Alleged Trump gunman wrote of 'assassination attempt,' prosecutors say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-attempted-assassination-suspect-ryan-routh-appear-court-2024-09-23/ |work=Reuters}} {{blockquote|Dear World, this was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job. Everyone across the globe from the youngest to the oldest know that Trump is unfit to be anything, much less a U.S president. U.S presidents must at bare minimum embody the moral fabric that is America and be kind, caring and selfless and always stand for humanity. Trump fails to understand any of-}}
The unnamed witness whose residence Routh dropped off a box to months prior, identified as L.P. in court, contacted law enforcement on September 18, stating that Routh had dropped off the box containing a letter at his house several months before the incident. The witness opened the box after the incident. Improvised destructive device components, burner cellphones, and .50 caliber ammunition was recovered from the box. According to authorities, the letter indicated that Routh may have planned the assassination attempt for months, and simultaneously acknowledged months in advance that he might fail.{{Cite news |last=Thrush |first=Glenn |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Suspect in Trump Assassination Attempt Outlined Plans in Note |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/politics/trump-assassination-attempt-routh-hearing.html |work=New York Times |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923140204/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/politics/trump-assassination-attempt-routh-hearing.html |url-status=live}}
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation of the incident, with the United States Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office also participating.{{Cite news |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Trump uninjured after gunfire near his Florida club |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/09/15/2024-election-campaign-updates-harris-trump/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916185240/https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/09/15/2024-election-campaign-updates-harris-trump/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} The FBI is treating the incident as an attempted assassination.
On the day of the incident, Routh's motive was described as unknown. Shortly after the incident, law enforcement linked the license plates for the Nissan Xterra used by Routh to a 2012 Ford truck that was reported as stolen. The witness who initially spotted the fleeing suspect identified Routh after he was taken into custody. Data from his cell phone showed that he had arrived at the golf course at 1:59 a.m., where he had waited for roughly 12 hours.{{Cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Herb |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Inside the fateful 12 hours of an apparent assassination attempt outside the Trump International Golf Club |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/politics/inside-apparent-assassination-attempt-trump/index.html |website=CNN |language=en |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918010353/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/politics/inside-apparent-assassination-attempt-trump/index.html |url-status=live}}
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pledged to open a state-level investigation into the incident.{{cite news |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Florida investigating apparent assassination attempt on Trump, DeSantis says |first=Rebecca |last=Falconer |access-date=September 18, 2024 |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/09/16/florida-trump-shooting-investigation-desantis |work=Axios |language=en-US |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916121246/https://www.axios.com/2024/09/16/florida-trump-shooting-investigation-desantis |url-status=live}}
On September 12, three days before the incident, Routh exchanged messages with British-trained commandos from Afghanistan about recruitment to the Russo-Ukrainian War over the instant messaging app WhatsApp. Routh's account on the app consisted of several discussions with special forces from Afghanistan about how to get to Ukraine to fight in the war. All of the chat logs on Routh's account were investigated by The Independent and investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports in November 2024.{{cite web |last1=Bancroft |first1=Holly |last2=Bulman |first2=May |date=November 23, 2024 |title=Revealed: How Donald Trump's alleged assassin tapped up UK-trained Afghan commandos to fight in Ukraine |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/donald-trump-assassin-ukraine-afghan-commandos-b2652462.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123150134/https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/donald-trump-assassin-ukraine-afghan-commandos-b2652462.html |archive-date=November 23, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |website=The Independent}}
On February 20, 2025, Routh's defense team inspected the Trump golf course during a visit arranged by the US Justice Department. After this visit they inspected evidence from the case such as the rifle, which the Justice Department had transported to an FBI field office in Florida.{{cite news |last1=MacFarlane |first1=Scott |title=Defense lawyers in Trump assassination attempt case tour Trump golf course, examine rifle from FBI evidence |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/defense-lawyers-trump-assassination-attempt-golf-course-rifle/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |agency=CBS News |date=March 9, 2025}}
Following a court filing on March 3, defense attorney Kristy Militello requested for the rifle to be tested. Upon being questioned by Judge Cannon, Militello responded with; "The rifle is old, and we want our expert to determine if it's operable, if it's accurate, and what kind of distance it can reach." Investigators did not conduct any testing of the rifle the day of the assassination attempt because no shots were fired at the scene. Judge Cannon then promised a ruling on testing the weapon.{{cite news |last1=Bohman |first1=Dave |title=Ryan Routh's attorneys want to test fire weapon allegedly intended to assassinate Donald Trump|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/ryan-rouths-attorneys-want-to-test-fire-weapon-allegedly-intended-to-assassinate-donald-trump |access-date=March 12, 2025 |agency=WPTV |date=March 7, 2025}}
On April 7, 2025, an indictment by federal prosecutors publicly alleged that Routh had two accomplices, who were both unidentified at the time. On the same day, prosecutors publicly revealed that they found seventeen burner cellphones in Routh's vehicle, which he bought using the alias "John White". Prosecutors also found several stolen licenses plates in Routh's vehicle, one owned by his daughter Sara, to evade detection and capture while fleeing the scene of the assassination attempt. Further investigation revealed that Routh used a stolen license plate during an earlier reconnaissance.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Jake |title=Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh sought rocket launcher from Ukraine: docs|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ryan-routh-sought-rocket-launcher-ukraine-docs |access-date=April 9, 2025 |agency=Fox News |date=April 9, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Jacob |title=Trump's would-be assassin Ryan Routh sought weapon to shoot down his plane, DOJ says|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-ryan-routh-assassin-weapon-plane/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |agency=CBS News |date=April 9, 2025}} Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier charged Routh with attempted first-degree murder and terrorism.{{cite news |last1=Dorsainvil |first1=Aja |title=Florida is charging Ryan Routh for attempted assassination of Donald Trump, AG says says|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-is-charging-ryan-routh-for-attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump-ag-says |access-date=April 10, 2025 |agency=WPTV |date=April 10, 2025}}
{{Gallery
| title = Evidence from the alleged assassination attempt
| align = center
| File:Ryan Wesley Routh's Weapon.png
| The SKS semi-automatic 7.62x39 caliber rifle allegedly used by Routh in the assassination attempt
| File:Ryan Wesley Routh's Backpack And Rifle.png
|The backpack and rifle allegedly used by Routh in the assassination attempt
| File:Ryan Wesley Routh's Rifle (Obliterated and Unreadable Serial Number Showcase).png
|The rifle allegedly used by Routh, shown to have its serial number missing
|File:Map of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida.png
|Mapping of the assassination attempt
|File:Ryan Wesley Routh's Car.png
|The Nissan Xterra vehicle owned by Routh, used to allegedly escape the scene of the assassination attempt
}}
Pre-trial
The federal case was assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, the same Trump-appointed judge who two months earlier had dismissed the federal prosecution of Trump regarding his possession of classified documents.{{Cite web |last=Vlachou |first=Marita |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Man Who Attempted To Assassinate Trump In Florida Wants Judge Aileen Cannon Off His Case |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ryan-routh-motion-for-cannon-removal_n_6712552fe4b08d7bcf690103 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}
On September 30, 2024, Routh pleaded not guilty to all five counts brought against him in federal court.{{cite news |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges |first1=Stephany |last1=Matat |first2=Alanna Durkin |last2=Richter |access-date=September 30, 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-attempted-assassination-ryan-routh-arraignment-d96d9bb2cdbcdbebfcac6e4b51a230c6 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930162727/https://apnews.com/article/trump-attempted-assassination-ryan-routh-arraignment-d96d9bb2cdbcdbebfcac6e4b51a230c6 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Leonard |first1=Kimberly |last2=Gerstein |first2=Josh |title=Ryan Routh pleads not guilty in alleged Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/30/trump-assassination-ryan-routh-plea-00181676 |website=Politico |access-date=October 2, 2024 |date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001180913/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/30/trump-assassination-ryan-routh-plea-00181676 |url-status=live}} The next day, Cannon set a preliminary trial date of November 18.{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2024 |title=November trial set for suspect in Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/november-trial-set-suspect-trump-assassination-attempt-2024-10-01/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=Reuters}}
On October 17, Routh's lawyers asked Cannon to recuse herself to avoid the appearance of bias in favor of Trump. However, Cannon refused to step down.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=October 29, 2024 |title=Judge won't step down from Trump assassination attempt case. Here's why |url=https://www.wflx.com/2024/10/29/judge-wont-step-down-trump-assassination-attempt-case-heres-why/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=WFLX |language=en}} As a result, Routh's trial date was moved to February 10, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Dorsainvil |first=Aja |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Trial date for Ryan Routh in Trump assassination attempt moved to February |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/trial-date-for-ryan-routh-in-trump-assassination-attempt-moved-to-february |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=WBPF}}
On November 4, one day before the 2024 United States presidential election, Routh sent a letter to a local newsroom stating that if Trump wins the election, it will mark "the end of Democracy and the beginning of a Civil War" and that Trump "will not let go of the power given to him". He also begged the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to "help lead the country the way to Democracy." Prosecutors noted that Routh's handwriting of the letter matched the same handwriting as the alleged note written months prior discussing his failure to assassinate Trump, which confirmed Routh wrote the note.
On November 26, Routh addressed a note to the newsroom Politico. In the note, he would criticize both the Republican party and the Democratic party, claiming they do not let any independent politicians get recognized in any race. Routh would also compare himself to Thomas Matthew Crooks, the perpetrator of Trump's previous assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, claiming they were both "ready to die for freedom and democracy". At multiple points, he contemplated the prospect of another "civil war". Prior to sending the note, Routh told a prison guard who believed Routh was a Democrat that the independent politicians were the better candidates.{{Cite web |last=Khardori |first=Ankush |date=November 26, 2024 |title=One of Trump's Alleged Attempted Assassins Sent Me a Letter |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/11/26/ryan-routh-trump-alleged-assassin-letter-column-00190211 |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Politico |language=en |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126165201/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/11/26/ryan-routh-trump-alleged-assassin-letter-column-00190211 |url-status=live}} He did not explicitly confess to attempting to assassinate Trump, referring to himself as the "Trump Alleged Shooter".
After appearing in federal court for a hearing on December 11, Routh's legal team announced they were considering giving Routh an insanity defense. Public defenders claimed Routh had met with mental health experts and jail mental health professionals at least twice, who all called him "delusional". Prosecutors also confirmed that Routh had written up to forty letters to national news outlets to try and convince them he was innocent. The letters were intercepted before being received. Routh's attorneys requested for the trial to be delayed until December 2025.{{Cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Jake |last2=Sorace |first2=Stephen |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Trump assassination attempt suspect Routh's legal team considers insanity defense |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ryan-routh-face-court-hearing-after-moving-delay-trial |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=Fox News |language=en}} Cannon granted the request in part, setting a new trial date of September 8, 2025.
On April 7, 2025, Routh filed an amended motion to dismiss two of the charges against him, which was 'possession of a firearm by a felon' and 'possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number'. In the filing, Routh argued that the gun violations were unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment, because the amendment does not regulate the ownership of guns by felons or serial numbers.{{Cite web |last1=Mikkelsen |first1=Emily |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Attempted Trump assassination suspect seeks dismissal of gun charges with Second Amendment argument |url=https://myfox8.com/shooting-trump-rally/attempted-trump-assassination-suspect-seeks-dismissal-of-gun-charges-with-second-amendment-argument/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Fox News |language=en}} The motion was rejected by the court two days later on April 9.{{Cite web |last1=Leverett |first1=Taylor |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Greensboro man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump, seeks dismissal of federal gun charges |url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/suspect-in-trumps-second-alleged-assassination-attempt-denied-request-to-dismiss-counts/83-9759c8ff-b4fb-4f35-8ea5-62a9ebdea95c |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=WFMyNews |language=en}} On the same day, the eyewitness who saw Routh enter his car the day of the assassination attempt, who goes under the alias "T.C.M" in court, was interviewed by law enforcement. However, the eyewitness felt pressured because of the intense atmosphere created by the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies.
Reactions
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's opponent in the 2024 presidential election, were briefed on the incident. The White House released a statement saying: "The president and vice president have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe." In a separate statement, Harris said: "I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America."
Shortly after the shooting, Elon Musk, executive chairman of Twitter, quote-retweeted a post on the site which asked "Why they want {{sic}} to kill Donald Trump?", responding that "no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala". Although he initially defended his wording, Musk deleted the tweet following widespread condemnation, claiming the next day that his remarks were intended as a joke. The White House issued a statement calling Musk's comment "irresponsible", writing that "violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about".{{Cite news |last=Dolak |first=Kevin |date=September 16, 2024 |title=White House Responds to Elon Musk Post Wondering Why 'No One is Trying to Assassinate Biden/Kamala' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/white-house-responds-elon-musk-post-assassinate-joe-biden-kamala-harris-1236004061/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916192407/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/white-house-responds-elon-musk-post-assassinate-joe-biden-kamala-harris-1236004061/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |ref=Dolak 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=David |title=Elon Musk deletes post questioning the Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/tech/elon-musk-biden-trump-assassination-attempt/index.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=CNN |publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery |date=September 16, 2024 |ref=Goldman 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916192447/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/tech/elon-musk-biden-trump-assassination-attempt/index.html |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |url-status=live}} The Secret Service additionally opened an investigation into Musk over his remarks.{{cite news |last1=Sherratt |first1=Madeline |title=US Secret Service aware of Musk's deleted tweet about absence of assassination attempts on Biden and Harris |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/musk-tweet-assassination-trump-harris-biden-b2614136.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd |date=September 17, 2024 |ref=Sherratt 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918021411/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/musk-tweet-assassination-trump-harris-biden-b2614136.html |archive-date=September 18, 2024}}{{Update inline|date=November 2024}}
See also
Notes
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References
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{{Donald Trump}}
{{Assassination attempts on presidents of the United States}}
Category:September 2024 crimes in the United States
Category:Controversies of the 2024 United States presidential election
Category:Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign
Category:United States Secret Service
Category:Law enforcement in Florida
Category:Electoral violence in the United States