The attempted disruption at Donald Trump’s Florida golf course has brought Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man with a complex background, into the spotlight. While initial reports focused on an alleged assassination attempt, a deeper look into Routh’s motivations and history reveals a tangled web of political disillusionment, international aspirations, and a surprising connection to a viral BlackRock conspiracy theory. This article delves into the details surrounding the incident, Routh’s past, and the unfounded claims linking him to the global investment firm BlackRock.
The Incident at Trump International Golf Course
On a Sunday in Florida, law enforcement officials responded to an incident at Trump International Golf Course. Ryan Routh is suspected of approaching the premises armed with an SKS-style rifle. According to reports, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel protruding from bushes, leading to an agent firing in Routh’s direction. Routh allegedly fled the scene, but was apprehended after a 45-minute pursuit by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies.
A map showing where Trump was playing golf and where the gunman was hiding on the following hole, with an arrow showing how Trump
Image alt text: Map depicting the location of Donald Trump on the golf course in relation to Ryan Routh’s hiding spot during the Florida incident.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw detailed how officers tracked Routh’s black Nissan to Interstate 95, where he was eventually stopped and arrested. Authorities recovered the SKS-style rifle, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera from the area where Routh was allegedly hiding. While Routh is not believed to have discharged his weapon or had a clear shot at Trump, he faces federal firearms charges. An affidavit indicates Routh’s phone was in the vicinity of the golf course for an extended 12-hour period. Further investigation revealed that the Nissan SUV Routh was driving had license plates belonging to a stolen Ford vehicle.
Ryan Routh’s Social Media and Ukraine Involvement
A review of Ryan Routh’s social media activity by BBC Verify uncovers a narrative of evolving political views and a strong interest in the Ukraine conflict. Routh, who initially voted for Donald Trump in 2016, appears to have become increasingly critical of the former president. His online presence showcases support for Ukraine and efforts to encourage foreign fighters to join the fight against Russia.
However, Routh’s attempts to directly participate in the Ukraine war effort were unsuccessful. Despite his self-proclaimed role as a “volunteer co-ordinator,” the International Legion of Ukraine rejected his application in 2022 due to a lack of prior combat experience. A volunteer within the legion described Routh as a disruptive presence in Ukraine, alleging he caused “chaos” and misrepresented his affiliation with volunteer organizations.
Image alt text: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office mugshot of Ryan Routh after his arrest in Florida.
Beyond Ukraine, Routh’s social media displays a range of political viewpoints, including pro-Palestinian and pro-Taiwan stances, alongside anti-China sentiments. He has also echoed conspiracy theories related to “Chinese biological warfare” and the origins of Covid-19. In a 2020 post on X (formerly Twitter), Routh expressed disillusionment with Trump, stating, “I will be glad when you [are] gone.” Interestingly, he also posted online urging President Biden and Vice-President Harris to meet with victims of a separate incident involving Trump in Pennsylvania earlier in the year.
Political Donations and Affiliations
While registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina, Ryan Routh’s voting history and political donations suggest a leaning towards the Democratic party in recent years. State records indicate he voted in the Democratic primary in March. Furthermore, federal election records show small donations totaling approximately $140 to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising organization, in 2019 and 2020. An image from Routh’s Hawaii residence showed a Biden-Harris campaign sticker on a vehicle.
Despite these Democratic leanings, Routh’s political affiliations appear fluid and somewhat unconventional. He has expressed support for figures across the political spectrum, including Tulsi Gabbard (a former Democrat who now aligns with Trump), as well as former Republican presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. This eclectic mix of endorsements highlights a potentially complex and evolving political ideology.
The BlackRock Conspiracy Theory Debunked
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the Ryan Routh story is his connection to a viral conspiracy theory linking him to BlackRock, a global investment management corporation. The theory falsely claims that Routh appeared in a promotional video for BlackRock, suggesting a nefarious connection between him and the company. This baseless claim gained traction online, with one post accumulating over three million views. The conspiracy alleges that Routh, like another individual mentioned in the post, was featured in a BlackRock commercial, implying a coordinated scheme.
However, BlackRock has unequivocally refuted these claims. A spokesperson for the company stated, “This is completely false. Ryan Routh has never been an employee of BlackRock nor has he appeared in any BlackRock ads. The video circulating on social media has been manipulated to falsely link Routh to BlackRock.”
Image alt text: Ryan Routh’s photo released by Martin County Sheriff’s Office, often misattributed in BlackRock conspiracy theories.
BBC Verify’s investigation traced the video clip used in the conspiracy theory back to a political rally in Kyiv from May 2022. The video clearly displays banners of the Azov Battalion, a Ukrainian military unit, further confirming the video’s origin and dispelling any connection to BlackRock. Despite the clear evidence debunking the conspiracy, the false claims continue to circulate online, highlighting the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age. The “Ryan Routh Black Rock” conspiracy theory serves as a stark reminder of how easily individuals can be falsely linked to organizations and events, fueled by online rumors and manipulated content.
Criminal History and Troubled Past
Ryan Routh’s legal troubles predate the recent incident in Florida, stretching back to the 1990s. Records reveal a history of felonies and misdemeanors, including multiple charges related to stolen goods. In Guilford County, North Carolina, he was convicted of felony offenses between 2002 and 2010. Notably, in 2002, he faced charges for possessing a fully automatic machine gun, described in court documents as a “weapon of mass destruction.” A local news report from that time detailed a three-hour standoff with police after Routh barricaded himself inside a business in Greensboro.
Further misdemeanor charges include hit-and-run, resisting arrest, and concealed weapons violations. His record also includes offenses such as driving with a revoked license and possession of stolen property. In 2019, the FBI reportedly received an unverified tip about Routh being a felon in possession of a firearm, which was forwarded to local law enforcement in Honolulu. A former neighbor described Routh as having a history of possessing stolen items and recalled instances of him and his family openly firing guns on their property.
Family Perspective and Legal Proceedings
Despite his troubled past, Ryan Routh’s eldest son, Oran, offered a contrasting view of his father, describing him as “a loving and caring father, and honest hardworking man.” He expressed disbelief at the allegations, hoping the situation in Florida was “blown out of proportion” and inconsistent with the man he knows. The FBI is currently seeking interviews with Routh’s friends and family in North Carolina and Hawaii as part of their ongoing investigation.
In the aftermath of his arrest, Ryan Routh appeared in court in Palm Beach County, facing firearms charges. While the initial charges do not explicitly mention an assassination attempt on Trump, the FBI has stated they are investigating the incident as such. Law enforcement officials have clarified that Routh did not discharge his weapon and did not have a direct line of sight to Trump. Secret Service and Homeland Security agents have searched Routh’s former residence in Greensboro, North Carolina. A hearing is scheduled to determine whether Routh will remain in custody, with prosecutors arguing he poses a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Image alt text: Law enforcement officials near the Trump golf course in Florida following the alleged assassination attempt incident involving Ryan Routh.
The case of Ryan Routh presents a complex picture of an individual with a history of legal issues, shifting political views, and involvement in international affairs, now entangled in an alleged incident at a Trump property and the center of an unfounded BlackRock conspiracy theory. As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, further details will likely emerge, shedding more light on the motivations and circumstances surrounding this perplexing case.
