Trump Details Assassination Attempt in X Spaces Interview

Former President Donald Trump shared a detailed account of what authorities have called an assassination attempt at his West Palm Beach golf club during a live interview on X Spaces. The former president praised the Secret Service for their swift response, crediting them with ensuring his safety during the incident that unfolded on Sunday. This marked the first time Trump spoke publicly about the event, and his description of the tense situation shed light on the close call he experienced.

During the X Spaces chat, which was intended to focus on promoting his new cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, Trump explained that he was playing golf with friends when the shots rang out. “We heard shots being fired in the air, probably four or five, and it sounded like bullets,” Trump recounted. He said the Secret Service agents accompanying him immediately reacted, recognizing the sounds as gunfire, and swiftly moved him to safety in golf carts. According to Trump, the agents’ training kicked in, and they did “a fantastic job” of handling the situation.

In the interview, Trump revealed that a Secret Service agent on the course had fired the shots after spotting a gun barrel in the bushes. The suspect, however, never managed to fire a shot, a detail confirmed by law enforcement officials. Trump expressed gratitude for the agents’ quick thinking, saying their actions likely prevented a more tragic outcome.

The former president also gave credit to a civilian who played a key role in the arrest of the suspect. The unnamed individual took a photograph of the suspect’s license plate and shared it with local authorities, providing crucial information that led to the arrest. Trump praised the civilian’s actions, calling the photo “key” to capturing the would-be assassin.

When asked why he believed there had been another attempt on his life, Trump pointed to political motivations, specifically blaming Democrats. “A lot of people think that the Democrats, when they talk about ‘a threat to democracy,’ they mean me,” he said. He suggested that the suspects in both attempts on his life were radical leftists, though he did not provide any specific evidence to support this claim.

One of the more surprising moments of the interview came when Trump discussed a phone call he received from President Joe Biden following the incident. Trump acknowledged that Biden had been “very nice” and expressed genuine concern for his safety. “He called up to make sure I was okay,” Trump said, adding that Biden had also asked whether he needed additional security. The former president, often a vocal critic of his successor, appeared appreciative of Biden’s outreach.

The attempted assassination occurred on Sunday when a Secret Service agent noticed a gun poking through a fence on the grounds of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course. The agent fired at the suspect, who fled the scene, leaving behind an array of suspicious items, including an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera. Authorities quickly launched a manhunt, and thanks to the information provided by the witness who photographed the suspect’s vehicle, law enforcement officers were able to arrest the suspect in nearby Martin County.

The FBI described the incident as an “apparent assassination attempt” on the former president. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, has a criminal history and was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Authorities have indicated that Routh may face additional charges as the investigation continues. In a press conference on Monday, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. confirmed that Routh did not fire any shots at agents before they responded. Rowe also shared details from the ongoing investigation, noting that Routh’s phone location data revealed he had been waiting outside the golf course for nearly 12 hours before making his move.

The arrest of Routh, who was reportedly found with a high-powered weapon and other incriminating items, raised concerns about security measures at high-profile venues like Trump’s golf club. The former president’s properties have long been considered targets for potential attacks, given his prominence and polarizing political profile. The swift response of the Secret Service, along with the help of the civilian witness, likely prevented what could have been a much more dangerous situation.

Though the focus of the X Spaces interview shifted to the assassination attempt, the original purpose was to promote Trump’s latest venture in the cryptocurrency world. Trump briefly touched on World Liberty Financial, a new crypto initiative he’s backing, though he didn’t delve into specifics. The conversation shifted to a discussion about the U.S. falling behind in the crypto and blockchain sectors, with Trump warning, “If we don’t do it, China is going to do it.”

The new venture is led by two relatively unknown figures in the crypto world: Chase Herro and Zachary Folkman. Herro, who has described himself as the “Dirtbag of the Internet,” and Folkman, a former dating coach who once ran a service called “Date Hotter Girls,” are managing the project. The duo’s controversial pasts have raised eyebrows, with some questioning their credentials in the rapidly evolving crypto space. Despite the background noise surrounding the entrepreneurs, Trump seemed confident that the project has the potential to put the U.S. at the forefront of the global crypto economy.

The interview on X Spaces, initially intended to focus on Trump’s financial ventures, turned into a dramatic recounting of a serious threat to his life. The former president’s ability to quickly pivot from the harrowing incident back to discussing cryptocurrency highlighted his knack for commanding attention in any setting. Still, the assassination attempt overshadowed any business talk, with the chilling details of the event dominating headlines in the hours that followed.

The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing, with authorities continuing to comb through evidence and potential motives. The incident has raised fresh concerns about political violence in the U.S., particularly as the country gears up for another contentious election cycle. For Trump, the close call served as a reminder of the constant threats he faces, even as he remains focused on his business and political ventures.