Ryan Wesley Routh is a 59‑year‑old American from North Carolina and Hawaii who became widely known as the man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign.

Quick Scoop: Who is Routh?

  • Full name: Ryan Wesley Routh.
  • Age: Born in 1966, he was 58–59 years old during the events connected to the case.
  • Background: Worked in construction and roofing, and founded a small company in Hawaii that built storage units and tiny homes.
  • Activism: Known as an activist with strong views on international issues, especially the war in Ukraine, where he traveled, gave interviews, and tried to recruit foreign fighters via social media.

The Trump assassination attempt

  • In 2024, Routh traveled to Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, with a loaded SKS‑style rifle and was accused of planning to shoot Trump while he played golf.
  • The incident came after an earlier separate attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, by another man, Thomas Crooks; prosecutors say Routh “re‑committed” to his plan after that earlier attack failed.
  • Federal authorities charged him with multiple counts, including attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate (now president) and related firearms offenses.

Trial and conviction (latest news)

  • A federal jury later convicted Routh on all charges tied to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
  • Prosecutors have argued he planned the attack for months and have sought a life sentence, pointing to his lack of remorse and the political nature of his motive.
  • During court proceedings after his guilty verdict, reports say he tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen in the courtroom, prompting additional security concerns.

His motives and public image

  • Routh once supported Trump but later turned into a fierce critic, calling him immoral and expressing fear that Trump’s leadership would be disastrous for the country and the world.
  • In his public posts and a self‑published book, he tied his worldview to global conflicts, especially Ukraine, portraying them in “good versus evil” terms and describing himself as willing to die for causes he supported.
  • Some who met him in Ukraine initially saw him as an idealistic, committed pro‑Ukraine activist, which made later news about the Trump plot seem shocking to them.

A quick illustrative snapshot

Imagine a man who starts as a hands‑on worker and small business owner, then throws himself into overseas causes like Ukraine, writing long manifestos and standing in public squares recruiting volunteers. Over time, his political passion hardens into a personal mission against Trump, culminating in a meticulously planned assassination attempt on a golf course that ends with his arrest, conviction, and a likely life term in federal prison.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.