Donald Trump has shared details of a frightening incident at his Florida golf course on Sunday, during which Secret Service agents fired shots at a would-be attacker hiding in the bushes.
In a livestream on the social media platform X, Trump described how he and a friend were swiftly “grabbed” by agents and rushed into golf carts as gunfire erupted nearby. Secret Service personnel, stationed several hundred meters away, had spotted a rifle barrel protruding from the foliage and opened fire. The suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh, dropped his weapon and fled, only to be arrested later on a highway. The Secret Service confirmed that Routh did not discharge his firearm.
Routh appeared briefly in a Florida court on Monday to face gun possession charges, while investigations by the FBI and Florida authorities are ongoing.
Despite the incident, Trump’s campaign schedule remains unchanged, with his first in-person appearance since the event scheduled for a “town hall” in Flint, Michigan—a key swing state for the upcoming presidential election. According to Reuters, the campaign has confirmed that Trump will continue with his planned activities.
Trump recounted the dramatic moments, saying he and his friend Steve Witkoff “heard shots being fired in the air, probably four or five,” as agents at a nearby hole spotted the rifle and fired at the suspect. “The agents with me knew immediately it was gunfire, and they grabbed me,” Trump said. He praised the agent who helped him, describing their response as “fantastic” during the X Spaces event.
In a conversation with the Washington Post, Trump insisted that the recent attempts on his life, including the July 13 incident at a rally in Pennsylvania, have not had a significant impact on him. “But people ask me that question a lot, and I try not to think about it,” he noted.
Trump also expressed appreciation for President Joe Biden’s “very nice” phone call following the incident. The White House confirmed that Biden conveyed his relief that Trump was unharmed. Trump attributed the attack to “inflammatory language” from Democratic opponents, though authorities have yet to disclose a motive for Routh, who has a history of legal issues and varied political affiliations.
The incident comes in the wake of heightened security measures following a July attack at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which resulted in a fatality and led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. The Secret Service has since intensified Trump’s security.
On Monday, Trump noted that the response to this second attack involved a swift evacuation using golf carts, as opposed to more direct confrontation. This latest attempt has reignited discussions about the adequacy of Trump's security, with Biden acknowledging the need for increased support for the Secret Service.
Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe defended the agency’s response, praising the actions of the agents involved and affirming that Trump received the “highest levels of protection” on Sunday. Rowe also clarified that Trump’s visit to the golf course was not part of his public schedule.
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