Former President Donald Trump attributed a recent attempt on his life to what he perceives as the incendiary comments made by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Over the weekend, an incident that Trump describes as a second assassination attempt against him took place.
The individual apprehended in connection to the incident was 58-year-old Ryan Routh, identified as a donor to the Democratic Party with past criminal offenses. Routh was found on Sunday camouflaged within bushes, armed with a weapon modeled after the AK-47, positioned several hundred yards from Trump at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach.
In a statement to Fox News on Monday morning, Trump expressed, “He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it.” He further articulated his concerns, stating, “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out.”
Trump conveyed his perspective on the situation, emphasizing, “These are people that want to destroy our country,” and labeling them as “the enemy from within.” He accused them of being the fundamental threat to the nation.
He also voiced his belief that the attempts on his life are fueled by a blend of extreme statements, falsehoods, and legal battles instigated by Democrats and propagated by the media.
Trump criticized the media and Democrats, saying, “These are the things that dangerous fools, like the shooter, listen to — that is the rhetoric they listen to, and the same with the first one,” and accused the media of endorsing the Democrats’ views unquestioningly, “The media is made up of fools that will spew [Democrats’] garbage and spew their sick philosophies and will protect them at all costs, and they can’t believe they get away with it. Democrats are totally protected by the media.”
Following the event, Trump used social media to express his gratitude towards those concerned for his well-being and highlighted the efforts of law enforcement in ensuring his safety. He stated, “I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!” and showed his appreciation particularly towards the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his team, and all law enforcement personnel for their exceptional work at Trump International in safeguarding him as the former President and the Republican Nominee for the upcoming Presidential Election, concluding with, “THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
