In a startling turn of events, the man arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, a Hawaii resident with a surprising background.
A video from Routh’s past has emerged, shedding light on his previous involvement in the Ukraine conflict and raising questions about his journey from international volunteer to accused would-be assassin.
Routh, now in custody for reportedly firing shots at Trump, was previously interviewed by Newsweek Romania during his time in Ukraine. The resurfaced video, shared on social media platform X by user Collin Rugg, shows a markedly different Routh from the calm individual arrested on Sunday.
In the emotional interview, Routh explains his initial motivations for traveling to Ukraine:
“We need everyone here fighting… that’s why I’m in Kyiv so every project that I promote is about getting people here to support the Ukrainians.”
He elaborates on his role, stating, “When you talk to a 20-year-old guy that sold everything he owns to come here fight, that is heroism. You know he’s coming here to risk his life for humanity for the Ukrainians.”
A cry for global unity
The interview paints a picture of a man deeply invested in the Ukrainian cause. Routh advocated for countries to work as a “collective unit” and made an impassioned plea for more volunteers to join the conflict. Viewers can see him visibly moved to tears as he urges people to “come fight.”
Public reaction and speculation
The emergence of this video has sparked intense discussion online, with many questioning how Routh progressed from international volunteer to alleged assassin. Some social media users have drawn connections to his political leanings, with one stating, “Not only is he pro-Ukraine but he also donated to Democrats many, many times in the 2020 election.”
Others have raised concerns about how Routh was able to get close to the former president, with one user asking, “This dude was 100% on the FBI’s radar. How in the hell did he even get within 5 miles of President Trump?”
Questions of media influence
Some commentators have speculated about the role of media in shaping Routh’s worldview. One user suggested, “This is exactly what it looks like to be brainwashed by the liberal mainstream media,” while another expressed concern about a broader trend: “There are many people like this in America sadly. They have been sucked into the media brainwashing.”
As the investigation into the assassination attempt continues, this newly surfaced video adds a complex layer to the unfolding story, prompting further questions about Routh’s motivations and the path that led him from passionate volunteer to accused assailant.