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FBI says there appeared to be an assassination attempt on Trump at his Florida golf course

The former president was on the golf course and was immediately rushed to safety, his campaign said in a statement.

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31w ago / 1:59 AM EDT

The FBI is investigating what it says is another apparent “assassination attempt” on Trump. The latest incident renews focus on the Secret Service just months after the previous assassination attempt.

31w ago / 1:26 AM EDT

Trump campaign managers say 'evil monster' attempted to assassinate the former president

Trump campaign co-managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles shared an update with the campaign staff regarding today's incident, in which they said "an evil monster attempted to take the life of President Trump" for the second time in two months.

LaCivita and Wiles said no one was injured and that Trump, as well as everyone who was with him, is safe.  

"This is not a matter that we take lightly," they said in the memo. "Your safety is always our top priority."

They called on staffers to "remain vigilant" and to "be observant and maintain a constant level of situational awareness."  

"As we enter the last 50 days of President Trump’s campaign, we must remember that we will only be able Save America from those who seek to destroy it by working together as one team," the memo said. "President Trump and Senator Vance expect the best from us, and we must perform every day."

31w ago / 12:45 AM EDT

Man in custody after Trump golf club incident was once convicted of possessing a machine gun

The man in custody in connection with the incident was vocal about U.S. support for Ukraine and has a long criminal and civil court history, including a conviction for possessing a machine gun.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was taken into custody after shots were fired at Trump International Golf Club, three senior law enforcement sources said. In 2002, court records show, he was convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction — the machine gun.

In that case, a man named Ryan Routh, 36 at the time, allegedly led authorities on a vehicle chase before he holed up at a roofing company in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to an account at the time by the Greensboro News & Record.

After the 2002 arrest, authorities said they found the suspect in possession of a fully automatic machine gun, according to the Greensboro News & Record report. The arrest coincides with North Carolina criminal court records that include Routh’s conviction for possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

Click here to read the full story.

31w ago / 12:00 AM EDT

'It was certainly an interesting day!' Trump posts on Truth Social

In his first statement on Truth Social about today's incident, Trump thanked everyone for their concern and well-wishes and called it "an interesting day."

He specifically thanked the Secret Service, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw "and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots" and "all of Law Enforcement" for "the incredible job done today" keeping him safe.

"The job done was absolutely outstanding. I am very proud to be an American!" Trump wrote in all capital letters.

31w ago / 11:10 PM EDT

Trump and Harris campaigns react to latest apparent 'assassination attempt'

Hallie Jackson

One person is in custody after shots were fired today in what the FBI is calling an apparent second “attempted assassination” of Trump.

Now, his campaign and the Harris campaign are reacting. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson has more.

31w ago / 10:44 PM EDT

Harris condemns political violence, thanks Secret Service and law enforcement

Stacey Klein

Harris condemned political violence after the apparent assassination attempt. 

“I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” she said in a statement.

“I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance. As President Biden said, our Administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission,” the statement concluded.

31w ago / 10:16 PM EDT

Suspect visited Ukraine and said he wanted to help recruit people to fight

The suspect in the FBI's custody said in a June 2022 video interview with Newsweek Romania that he was in Ukraine to help recruit people to the war effort.

Routh said that he was in Ukraine originally to help fight but that ge was 56 years old and had no fighting experience and was subsequently turned down. He said he stayed in Kyiv afterward to promote projects to support the army.

"Plan B was to come here to Kyiv and promote getting more people here," Routh said in the interview. "You know, we need thousands and thousands and thousands of people here fighting with the Ukrainians."

Routh said the world was at a "critical juncture" in the war, which he called a struggle of good versus evil.

"This is the most important thing going on in the world today, so sitting around and letting life go on as normal, and complaining about gas prices and complaining about, you know, your luxury life and whatever country you live in is unacceptable as human beings," he said.

Routh's apparent Facebook profile, which has since been deleted, includes posts trying to recruit people to fight in Ukraine.

31w ago / 9:20 PM EDT

Suspect previously discussed his role in helping Ukraine with news outlet Semafor

The man in the FBI's custody was dedicated to helping enlist foreign soldiers to Ukraine but was "frustrated" with obstacles he faced in trying to achieve that, according to Semafor.

Semafor interviewed Routh last year. According to the news site, Routh was one of several American volunteers who helped bring foreign troops to aid the war effort in Ukraine against Russia.

31w ago / 9:11 PM EDT

Police release images of firearm found near Trump golf course

Police released images of the rifle that was found along with a backpack and a camera near Trump's Florida golf course.

Photos that show a rifle, a backpack and a GoPro camera on a fence outside Trump International Golf Club taken after an apparent attempt to assassinate Donald Trump are displayed during a news conference at the Palm Beach County, Fla., Main Library on Sunday. Stephany Matat / AP
31w ago / 8:56 PM EDT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida will conduct its own investigation into today's incident

Though the FBI is investigating the attack, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on X that the state of Florida will conduct its own investigation.

"The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee," DeSantis wrote.