Ryan Routh’s Assassination Attempt on Trump and Ties to Controversial Ukrainian Group

Close-up of dictionary page defining "assassination."

A shocking revelation has come to light regarding Ryan Routh, the individual behind the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

At a Glance

Ryan Routh, 58, known for an apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump, has ties to the Azov Brigade.
Routh, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, was rejected by the Ukrainian military but still engaged with the Azov Brigade.
He was arrested in Florida, with various weapons and other items recovered in his possession.
The Zelensky administration denies any formal ties between Routh and the Azov Brigade.

Ryan Routh’s Background and Downfall

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, has emerged as the suspect in an alarming assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump. Routh attempted to carry out his plan at the Trump International Golf Course in Florida, armed with an SKS-style rifle. The FBI recovered a weapon, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera on the scene.

His dramatic escape unfolded with a Secret Service agent firing in his direction, causing him to flee. Authorities later apprehended him on Interstate 95, where he was charged with federal firearms offenses. His car was found to have stolen number plates.

Ties to Controversial Ukrainian Group

Controversy surrounds Routh’s connections after he appeared in a propaganda video for the Azov Brigade, a controversial neo-Nazi group based in Ukraine, despite being rejected for official military service by Ukrainian authorities. The Zelensky administration has officially denied any formal linkage to Routh.

Routh had delved deeply into Ukrainian politics, pledging to fight against Russia when the conflict escalated in February 2022. He described himself as a “volunteer coordinator” in Ukraine but was seen more as a chaotic presence by other volunteers. He even posed as a recruiter for the International Legion in Kyiv, frequently speaking to the media, including outlets like The New York Times and Romanian Newsweek.

Media and Political Implications

Routh’s social media activity presents him as a fervent supporter of Ukraine, sending out pro-Palestinian, pro-Taiwan, and anti-China messages. Moreover, he actively engaged in U.S. politics, voting in the Democratic primary and making small donations through ActBlue.

“This is completely false,” a BlackRock spokesperson said of the claim. “Ryan Routh has never been an employee of BlackRock nor has he appeared in any BlackRock ads. The video circulating on social media has been manipulated to falsely link Routh to BlackRock.”

A video from 2022 of a rally in support of the Mariupol garrison in Kyiv, attended by the suspected Donald Trump assassination attempt, Ryan Wesley Routh, is circulating on social media.

We would like to officially state that Ryan Wesley Routh has no connection to Azov and has…

— Azov Brigade (@azov_media) September 16, 2024

National Security Concerns

The discovery of Routh’s ties to the Azov Brigade and his subsequent actions have raised significant questions about foreign influences on national security. This case underscores the potential risks posed by individuals engaging with extremist groups overseas and how these risks translate back to domestic soil. Routh’s actions and his bizarre recruitment efforts were regarded skeptically by Ukrainian authorities and volunteers alike.

Given Routh’s criminal history dating back to the ’90s and his controversial interactions overseas, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile interplay between individual radicalism and international geopolitics. The FBI continues to investigate the incident, unraveling more layers of this complex and alarming case involving an apparent assassination attempt on a former U.S. president.