KAAAWA, Hawaii — Ryan Routh, who had projected himself online as a humanitarian worker and political activist, has recently gained notoriety for a book he self-published in 2023. In "Ukraine’s Unwinnable War," Routh criticized Donald Trump as a "fool" and a "buffoon" for his role in the January 6 Capitol riots and for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. Most alarmingly, Routh's book included a provocative call for Iran to assassinate the former president.
"I urge you to assassinate Trump," Routh wrote in the book, reflecting his deep discontent with the former president. Routh admitted to once supporting Trump but claimed responsibility for contributing to the election of what he described as a "brainless child" to the presidency.
Routh, 58, was apprehended on Sunday after allegedly stalking Trump during a golf outing in West Palm Beach, Florida, armed with an AK-47-style rifle. The Secret Service intervened, preventing what appeared to be a serious assassination attempt. Three unnamed officials confirmed Routh’s arrest but declined to provide further details about the ongoing investigation or his motives.
Routh's extensive online presence and public records reveal a complex and controversial figure. His social media activity spans over 500 posts reflecting a range of political views, from supporting Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard to backing Trump and later expressing support for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite his shifting political stances, Routh consistently expressed outrage over various issues.
Records show that Routh registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina in 2012 and participated in the Democratic primary in March. He also donated $140 to ActBlue, a PAC supporting Democratic candidates, since 2019. In June 2020, Routh suggested that Trump could secure reelection by addressing police misconduct through an executive order. However, his posts became increasingly critical of Trump, culminating in calls for Biden and Harris to show compassion in the wake of a shooting at a Trump rally.
Routh's book, available on Amazon, portrays a disdain for political labels, advocating for women to lead as a remedy to global issues he attributes to "men with massive insecurity and childlike behavior."
Routh was also active in supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression. He frequently posted about the conflict, tried to raise funds and recruit volunteers for Ukraine, and even visited Kyiv, where he participated in demonstrations against Russian aggression. Despite his vocal support, he never served in the Ukrainian military, and Ukrainian officials described his efforts as delusional.
In addition to his political activism, Routh had a criminal history. He was convicted in 2002 for possessing a weapon of mass destruction following an armed standoff with police. His record also includes felony convictions for possessing stolen goods and various misdemeanors. Despite these convictions, the details of how he acquired the weapon used in the alleged assassination attempt remain unclear.
Routh moved to Kaaawa, Hawaii, in 2018, where he and his son built small wooden shelters intended to address homelessness on the island. Locals describe him as generally reserved and kind, making his recent actions particularly shocking to those who knew him.
The investigation into Routh's motives and his potential connections to extremist activities continues.
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