Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old man, was arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Donald Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. Armed with an AK-47-style rifle, Routh's actions were thwarted by the Secret Service, raising questions about his motives. Online, Routh had crafted a complex identity, portraying himself as a supporter of various political figures, including Bernie Sanders and Trump, while simultaneously expressing violent rhetoric against the former president. In his self-published book, "Ukraine’s Unwinnable War," Routh controversially urged Iran to assassinate Trump, labeling him a "fool" for his political decisions. His social media history reveals a shifting political landscape, from voting in the Democratic primary to supporting Biden and Harris in recent posts.

Routh also made small donations to ActBlue, a PAC supporting Democratic candidates, indicating his engagement with leftist politics. Following the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally, Routh called for compassion from Biden and Harris, further illustrating his complex relationship with political ideologies. This incident has sparked significant media attention and discussion around political violence and rhetoric in contemporary America.