Short Summary
On September 15, 2024, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump survived a second apparent assassination attempt when Secret Service agents identified Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man with an AK-47-style rifle, positioned in bushes near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida; the incident occurred approximately 51 days before the
2024 Presidential Election between Trump and Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, marking an unprecedented second security threat following the July 13 Butler,
Pennsylvania rally shooting where Trump was wounded in the ear; the assassination attempt prompted bipartisan condemnation with Harris stating "violence has no place in America" and President Biden directing his administration to ensure adequate Secret Service protection, while some Republicans connected the incident to Democratic rhetoric portraying Trump as a "threat to democracy"; despite the security breach, Trump's campaign proceeded with scheduled events in Michigan, New York, Washington D.C., and North Carolina, with Trump stating in a fundraising email that his "resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life," highlighting the volatile political environment surrounding the highly competitive 2024 Presidential Election.
Long Summary
Introduction
On September 15, 2024, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in the
2024 Presidential Election, survived a second apparent assassination attempt while golfing at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. This security incident occurred approximately 51 days before the November 5, 2024 general election, where Trump faces Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. This analysis synthesizes reporting from three major news sources—The Hill, Associated Press (AP News), and NBC News—examining both the factual accounts of the incident and its potential implications for the 2024 Presidential Election.
Incident Details
Secret Service agents protecting former President Trump identified a man with a rifle positioned in bushes near Trump's golf course on Sunday, September 15, 2024. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, a Secret Service agent spotted what appeared to be a rifle muzzle protruding through shrubbery approximately 300-500 yards from where Trump was playing. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM EDT, as reported by multiple sources.The agent immediately discharged his weapon toward the suspect, who then fled the scene in a black Nissan without firing at Trump or the agents. As noted by Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. in the AP News report, the suspect "did not have a line of sight to the former president" at the time of the security intervention.Authorities recovered an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera from the area where the suspect had been positioned. Palm Beach County Sheriff Bradshaw stated that a witness photographed the suspect's vehicle, which aided authorities in tracking and apprehending 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh as he traveled from Palm Beach County into Martin County on Interstate 95.The Trump campaign issued a statement approximately one hour after the incident confirming that the former president was "safe." Trump was evacuated from the golf course and returned to his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The Suspect: Ryan Wesley Routh
All three news sources identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man with previous criminal convictions. According to North Carolina Department of Adult Correction records cited in the reporting, Routh was convicted in 2002 of possessing a "weapon of mass destruction."Authorities reported that Routh had primarily lived in North Carolina before moving to Kaaawa, Hawaii in 2018, where he operated a shed-building business with his son. The AP News article indicated that Routh had shown interest in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, noting that he had traveled to Ukraine in 2022 and participated in demonstrations in Kyiv.The AP News coverage provided additional information about Routh's online activities, reporting that he maintained a website seeking to raise money and recruit volunteers to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion. AP News also noted that Routh's political affiliations appeared varied over time, citing both support for Republican and Democratic figures at different points.Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told news outlets that he expected Routh would face charges related to terrorism and weapons offenses. NBC News reported that Routh currently faces federal charges of possessing a firearm despite prior felony conviction and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Comparison to Previous Assassination Attempt
This incident marked the second apparent assassination attempt against Trump in less than three months. The
first assassination attempt was on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was shot in the ear, a supporter was killed, and two others were critically wounded. The gunman in that incident was killed by Secret Service.Following the July assassination attempt, the Secret Service faced significant scrutiny that led to the resignation of then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. The Hill's reporting noted that unlike the July incident, officials held a joint briefing about three hours after the September 15 incident, demonstrating improved public information sharing.The consecutive attempts on a presidential candidate's life during an active campaign represents an unprecedented situation in modern American elections. All three news sources emphasized the extraordinary nature of these back-to-back security breaches.
Political Reactions
The incident generated bipartisan condemnation of political violence, with officials from both parties expressing relief that Trump was unharmed.Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris stated: "I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America." Her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, expressed similar sentiments.President Biden stated he was "relieved" Trump was unharmed and emphasized "there is no place for political violence." He directed his administration to ensure the Secret Service has necessary resources to protect the former president.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for the perpetrator to be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."However, The Hill's reporting highlighted that some Republicans connected the incident to Democratic rhetoric. The publication quoted Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) stating: "The left continues to push their hateful and dangerous rhetoric." Republican Virginia Senate candidate Hung Cao was cited as saying that Trump's political opponents use "extreme rhetoric" to paint him as a "dictator" and "threat to democracy."The Hill also noted that Trump and his running mate Senator JD Vance had recently faced criticism for statements about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, which had resulted in bomb threats against that community.
Potential Impact on the 2024 Presidential Election
All three news sources noted that the incident occurred during a critical period of the presidential campaign. NBC News reported that Trump's campaign schedule would proceed as planned, with upcoming events in Michigan, New York, Washington D.C., and North Carolina.The assassination attempt sparked renewed discussion about the security of presidential candidates in the final weeks before the November election. The bipartisan House task force investigating the July assassination attempt requested a briefing from the Secret Service about the September incident, indicating ongoing congressional concerns about candidate protection.The Hill emphasized that the incident occurred against the backdrop of what polling suggests is a competitive presidential race. The publication noted that both campaigns would need to navigate the fallout from this security breach while maintaining focus on their campaign messages during the final stretch before Election Day.Trump referenced the incident in campaign communications, with one fundraising email stating his "resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life." His running mate Senator JD Vance reported that Trump was in "good spirits" following the incident.
Media Coverage Analysis
The three news sources provided largely consistent factual information about the assassination attempt while differing in their emphasis and depth of coverage on specific aspects.The Hill devoted more attention to the political implications of the incident, including detailed reporting on partisan reactions and connections to broader campaign controversies. Their coverage also focused extensively on Secret Service protocols and congressional oversight.AP News provided the most comprehensive background on suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, including his history, connections to Ukraine, and varied political statements over time. Their reporting offered context about Routh's activities prior to the incident.NBC News included more details about Trump's immediate movements after the incident and his upcoming campaign schedule. They also reported exclusively that Trump was golfing with his friend and donor Steve Witkoff at the time of the incident.
Conclusion
The second apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on September 15, 2024, represents a significant moment in the 2024 Presidential Election campaign and the massive political divide in America. The incident prompted renewed concerns about candidate security, political rhetoric, and the potential for violence during an already contentious election season.Articles Analyzed:
The Hill,
AP News, and
NBC News*There may be errors on this page.