The son of the alleged gunman who targeted former President Trump on his Florida golf course Sunday said his dad hates Trump like “every reasonable person does” — but claimed he’s not a violent person, according to a report.
Oran Routh told the Daily Mail that his father, Ryan Routh, who was arrested in the alleged assassination attempt, isn’t a fan of the Republican nominee.
“I don’t like Trump either,” he added.
But the younger Routh, 35, insisted his dad is not violent and was shocked to hear about the allegations.
Here’s what we know about the assassination attempt on Trump in Florida:
- Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024.
- Trump sent out a statement to supporters soon after to report that he is “SAFE AND WELL.”
- The suspect — identified as Ryan Routh, 58, of Hawaii — was able to get between 300 to 500 yards of Trump at a chain link fence on the edge of the course where he had an AK-47 and a GoPro camera set up to apparently film the planned shooting.
- Routh has a history of supporting progressive causes online and has made 19 donations to Democratic candidates since 2019.
- A Secret Service agent spotted and opened fire on Routh as he put his gun through the fence. The suspect fled the scene and was arrested on I-95 a short time later.
- According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Trump’s security detail was lighter because he isn’t a sitting president — despite the previous attempt on his life in July.
“He’s my dad and all he’s had is couple traffic tickets, as far as I know,” the son told the Daily Mail. “That’s crazy. I know my dad and love my dad, but that’s nothing like him.”
“He’s not a violent person,” Oran Routh also said. “He’s a hard worker and a great dad. He’s a great dude, a nice guy and has worked his whole f–king life.”
Ryan Routh, 58, was allegedly armed with an AK-47 just a few hundred yards away from Trump as he played golf at the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, authorities said.
A Secret Service agent a hole ahead of Trump scoping out the area spotted the suspect as he stuck the barrel of his rifle through the chain fence on the outskirts of the golf club.
After the agent opened fire, Routh fled before he was captured shortly after.
Oran Routh said he was unaware his father was even in Florida, and assumed he was in Hawaii when the two spoke recently.
“He said he was at the beach, but I thought that meant the outer banks in Hawaii,” he reportedly said. “I didn’t ask him for more information because we’ve had a falling out. We’ve grown apart.”
Oran did not elaborate what he meant by the two having a falling out.
But he claimed he doesn’t believe his father owned a gun “or known him to do anything batsh-t like this,” he told the outlet.
After abruptly hanging up the phone, Oran Routh sent a long winded text to the Daily Mail where he said if his father wants to be “martyr,” then that’s “his choice” and complained voters are “exhausted and embarrassed” by candidates running for the White House.
“I hate this game every four years, and think that we all do, and if my father wants to be a martyr to how broken and disassociated the process has become from the real problems and practical solutions, then that’s his choice,” he reportedly wrote in the text.
“I’m not saying that’s what he’s done or what he’s about, that’s just my own rant being fed up with it all for my entire adult life.
“South Park said it best, every 4 years we’re forced to choose between a turd sandwich and a giant douche, and it all stays f–ked in the same ways by different degrees, and we’re exhausted and embarrassed by it all.”
Ryan Routh has a criminal background dating back to his time in North Carolina, and in recent years was a vocal supporter for Ukraine in the country’s fight against Russia.
This is the second time in around two months that Trump has been zeroed in on by would-be assassins as he runs for president against Vice President Kamala Harris for a return to the White House.
