Trump’s ‘would-be assassin’ invokes prehistoric man, Putin and Hitler in ‘rambling’ trial opening: reports
Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign – weeks after the then-candidate was wounded in the ear in a separate assassination attempt – has given his opening statement at his trial.
Routh, 59, who is representing himself, allegedly tried to assassinate Trump on September 15, 2024 while the former and future president was golfing at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
During the opening statement period, Routh was twice cut off by the judge while he discussed prehistoric man, questioned the nature of “intent,” and invoked Russian president Vladimir Putin and Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
The philosophical meanderings were not appreciated by Judge Aileen Cannon. She shut down the opening statements and sent the jury out of the room, after which she reportedly warned Routh to stay on topic, according to CBS 12.
When the jury returned, Routh reportedly continued his monologue, which caused Cannon to interrupt him again. She sent away the jury, told Routh he was in violation of her direct orders, and was forced to forfeit the rest of his time.
In the approximately 10 minutes he spoke, he managed to reference evolution, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Adolf Hitler.
The prosecution entered their opening arguments, painting Routh’s alleged plan to assassinate the president as “carefully crafted and dead serious.”
According to prosecutors, Routh used 10 phones, three aliases, stolen license plates, and a string of deceptions to put him in a position where he could take a shot at Trump.
Their witness list includes a Secret Service agent who they say saw Routh in the bushes at Trump’s golf club, and a good Samaritan who reported seeing Routh running from the area.
They painted Routh as predatory, claiming he stalked Trump to learn his schedule, even going so far as to watch the president from Palm Beach International Airport while he was preparing to leave on official flights.
Prosecutors say he allegedly waited for hours with a rifle waiting to get a shot on Trump. He has been charged with attempted assassination and assaulting a federal officer.
Secret Service agent Robert Fercano, who says he saw Routh in the bushes at Trump’s golf club, was the first wtiness called to testify.
He told the court that he came within five feet of Routh’s rifle before he realized that the man was armed.
“The barrel of the AK was pointed directly at my face,” Fercano said. “I was in fear for President Trump’s life.”
