For the second time in as many months, there was an attempt on Donald Trump’s life.
On Sunday, a gunman was found less than 500 yards away from the former president as he played a round at his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secret Service agents who walk a couple holes ahead of Trump spotted the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, in the bushes with an “AK-style” rifle.
The gunman was able to flee the scene in a black Nissan SUV but was eventually apprehended by law enforcement in a traffic stop as he was driving north on I-95. Unlike the assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, Trump was not fired at and was rushed to safety by the Secret Service.
Trump shared on social media that he was “safe and well” and would not be deterred by the threats against him, but there are more questions than answers about the suspect and the security surrounding the GOP nominee. On Monday’s show, Megyn was joined by Eric Trump to discuss how his family feels in the aftermath of the latest attack.
The Suspect
Routh appeared in federal court on Monday with his hands and feet shackled. According to Fox News, the alleged gunman laughed and smiled his way through the appearance. He was charged with two gun-related counts – including possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number – which will allow authorities to keep him in custody as the investigation continues. Additional charges are expected to follow.
The initial court appearance came as more information has emerged about Routh and his potential motives. “We now know that this man has had run-ins with the law, including back in 2002 when court records show he was convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction said to have been a machine gun,” Megyn noted.
And there was the flurry of activity on his social media channels, including a deep interest in Ukraine and anti-Trump rhetoric. “He claims to have voted for Trump back in 2016 only to have then turned against him,” Megyn explained. “Since 2019, Routh has exclusively donated to Democratic causes and candidates.”
Perhaps most alarming, Routh published an e-book in 2023 titled Ukraine’s Unwinnable War in which he issued a direct message to Iran: “You are free to assassinate Trump,” he wrote. “No one here in the U.S. seems to have the balls to put natural selection to work or even unnatural selection.”
‘They Are Trying to Kill Him’
Given all that has transpired in recent months, Eric called the violence “deeply scary” and told Megyn that he fears his father is running out “proverbial” lives. “I just want everybody to understand that they are trying to kill him,” he said. “They’ve gone after him in every single way… They tried to impeach him, they tried to take him off the ballot in states… they’ve gone after his family… they’ve weaponized the judicial system… and now twice in five weeks – as we approach 50 days away from election day – they’re trying to kill him.”
Eric said he believes “they will stop at absolutely nothing,” so “the government better do a good job protecting him.” He worries, however, “that the are not.”
The federal criminal complaint filed Monday reveals that Routh’s cell phone data was traced to the spot on the edge of the golf course beginning at 1:59am Sunday – some 12 hours before his attempted ambush. Law enforcement also discovered a digital camera, two bags, and a loaded SKS-style rifle with its serial number scratched off, according to the complaint.
The timing of the initial cell phone pings raises more questions about how Routh, who lived in Hawaii, would have known Trump was going to be on the course. The former president’s golf game was not on his public schedule. Couple that with Routh’s past writings about Iran, and Megyn asked Eric if he is concerned about the possibility of foreign actors or even an inside job.
While the former first son said he generally avoids conspiracy theories, he believes this situation requires every avenue be explored. “Everybody better entertain everything,” he said. “I never thought I’d say this… but after twice in five weeks, you better start entertaining all of those scenarios because something is very, very wrong and it could have been very, very different.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Trump by tuning in to episode 889 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.