KAAAWA, Hawaii — Ryan Wesley Routh, a man who presented himself online as a humanitarian working to build homes for the homeless in Hawaii, was recently arrested on suspicion of plotting an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Routh, 58, had a history of controversial social media posts, some of which expressed support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, while others contained sharp criticism of the Trump administration.
In a self-published book titled “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War,” released in 2023, Routh referred to Trump as a “buffoon” and condemned his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal as well as his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. In the same book, he even went so far as to encourage Iran to assassinate the former president, writing, “You are free to assassinate Trump.”
Although Routh had once voted for Trump, he later expressed regret, referring to the former president as a “brainless child” elected to office. After the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, Routh suggested that Trump could win re-election by issuing an executive order to prosecute police misconduct. However, his views on Trump soured drastically in the following years.
Routh was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, after stalking Trump while he played golf, armed with an AK-47-style rifle. His plans were thwarted by the Secret Service before any harm could be done. A deeper dive into his online presence revealed Routh’s turbulent political journey and a criminal record, which included a 2002 felony conviction for possessing a fully automatic machine gun during a standoff with police.
Politically, Routh was inconsistent. Though he was registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina, he had made small donations to Democratic candidates through the ActBlue platform and had at different times supported politicians such as Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, and Nicki Haley. His social media posts reflected this ideological volatility, fluctuating between the far left and the right.
On his LinkedIn profile, Routh claimed to be involved in building small shelters for Hawaii’s homeless population, a project he believed would address the island’s growing homelessness crisis. In 2019, he told a local newspaper that gentrification was a key factor driving homelessness in the state.
Despite his claims of supporting Ukraine, Oleksandr Shahuri from the Ukrainian Ground Forces Command stated that Routh never actually served in the Ukrainian army and described his communications with them as “delusional.” Routh had appeared in protests in Kyiv, donning a vest with the U.S. flag and holding signs denouncing Russian corruption.
One of the more unusual aspects of Routh’s activism was his attempt to recruit musicians like Bruno Mars and Dave Matthews to organize a charity concert for Ukraine. He also reached out to former basketball player Dennis Rodman to help lift sanctions on North Korea in an effort to ease tensions with the country.
Having spent most of his life in Greensboro, North Carolina, Routh moved to Hawaii in 2018, where neighbors described him as quiet and respectful, despite his troubling past.
Inside the Controversies: Unusual Facts Surrounding Donald Trump
Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, has always been a polarizing figure, attracting both fervent supporters and harsh critics throughout his political career. Known for his brash rhetoric and unconventional approach to leadership, Trump’s tenure in the White House was marked by significant controversies, from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. The latter event led to his second impeachment, making him the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice.
One of Trump’s most controversial decisions was his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The agreement, originally brokered during the Obama administration, aimed to limit Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump’s exit from the deal was met with both domestic and international criticism, with many accusing him of destabilizing the Middle East and undoing years of diplomatic progress. Routh, in his book, highlighted this decision as a “tremendous blunder,” aligning his disdain for Trump with a broader global sentiment.
In addition to his foreign policy decisions, Trump faced backlash for his handling of racial justice issues, particularly after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. While protests erupted across the country, calling for police reform and an end to systemic racism, Trump’s response was seen by many as divisive. Instead of addressing police misconduct, he focused on restoring “law and order,” deploying federal forces to suppress protests in cities like Portland and Washington, D.C.
Despite his hardline stance on protests, Trump maintained a loyal base of supporters. His populist messaging, which promised to “Make America Great Again,” resonated with millions who felt left behind by globalization and economic inequality. His rallies often attracted massive crowds, and even after leaving office, Trump continued to hold influence over the Republican Party, positioning himself as a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
However, Routh’s case is an extreme example of how far anti-Trump sentiments can go. His disillusionment with Trump, which shifted from initial support to calling for the former president’s assassination, reflects the deeply fractured nature of American politics today. What makes Routh’s story more peculiar is his erratic behavior, seen not only in his political flip-flopping but also in his grandiose plans to organize international aid efforts, recruit soldiers for Ukraine, and even involve celebrities in geopolitical causes.
Adding to the complexity of Routh’s views is his belief that women should govern the world, as stated in his self-published book. He argued that many global issues stem from men’s “massive insecurity” and childlike behavior, implying that a world led by women would be more stable and just. This belief aligns with his later support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, praising their compassion and leadership in contrast to Trump’s perceived authoritarianism.
Trump, despite facing numerous legal battles and criminal investigations post-presidency, remains a dominant force in U.S. politics. His recent indictments, including charges related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, have only solidified his status as a controversial figure. Yet, his base remains strong, and many Republicans view these legal challenges as politically motivated attacks rather than genuine criminal proceedings.
Routh’s fascination with Trump, coupled with his personal mission to fight for Ukraine and his troubled past, paints a picture of a man who struggled to find stability in an ever-changing world. His attempt to position himself as a crusader for justice, whether for the homeless in Hawaii or for Ukraine, was ultimately undermined by his erratic behavior and criminal actions. The fact that he once supported Trump only to later advocate for his assassination reveals the extremes of disillusionment and frustration that can arise in a politically charged environment.