Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump released a bold statement following an assassination attempt against him on Sunday while playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The notification was the first written statement released directly from Trump since the incident.
“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” Trump wrote.
“Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” he added. “I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”
The shooting incident occurred as Trump was on the fifth hole of Trump International Golf Club, preparing to putt. Secret Service agents tackled him to the ground as a shooter was spotted 300 to 500 yards away.
Agents reportedly shot at the shooter who fled in a black vehicle. He was later apprehended by local law enforcement.
The man was later identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. Among the items found were a rifle with a scope, a GoPro camera and backpack.
Trump later took to Truth Social to post his thanks to law enforcement for keeping him safe.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE,” he continued.
“THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” Trump concluded.
As RSBN previously reported, a video later shared on Rumble shows Routh advocating in support of the Ukrainian war effort. The date of the video is not known. Routh’s X account was soon suspended after the arrest.
The New York Post reported that Routh has a lengthy criminal record in North Carolina and is originally from Hawaii. He also frequently posted about politics and donated to Democrats and Democratic causes extending back to at least 2019, according to the report.
During the press conference, the sheriff noted that Secret Service protection was limited since Trump is not the sitting president. The FBI is leading the investigation.