Ryan Wesley Routh: What We Know About the Man Detained in Connection with the Second Trump Assassination Attempt
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, has been detained in connection with an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Routh, who once supported Trump but later dismissed him as an “idiot,” a “buffoon,” and a “fool,” has expressed his animosity through a convoluted worldview that also focused on Ukraine, Taiwan, North Korea, and what he described as the “end of humanity.”
Routh, a small construction business owner from Hawaii, was apprehended on Sunday after an altercation involving US Secret Service agents who fired at a man with a rifle near a golf club where Trump was playing. Routh was later caught on a nearby highway. His past includes protests in Kyiv following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and a self-published 291-page book outlining his views.
Despite his critical stance towards Trump, Routh had previously supported him in the 2016 presidential election but later admitted his mistake. His criticisms have been extensive, including a harsh assessment of Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which he viewed as a significant blunder.
Routh's ideological fixations extended to global conflicts. He was vocal in his support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, even visiting the country in 2022 and trying to enlist foreign fighters, although his efforts were dismissed as unrealistic by Ukrainian officials.
In his book, “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War: The Fatal Flaw of Democracy, World Abandonment and the Global Citizen-Taiwan, Afghanistan, North Korea and the End of Humanity,” Routh discusses Trump and various global issues. His engagement with the foreign legion in Ukraine was never confirmed, and his proposals were deemed delusional by Ukrainian representatives.
Family and acquaintances have mixed views of Routh. His eldest son described him as a “loving and caring father” and expressed disbelief at the allegations. Conversely, others have recounted troubling interactions with Routh, including issues with his business and erratic behavior.
Overall, Routh’s case reflects a complex individual whose actions and views have led to significant legal and personal consequences.