Donald Trump narrowly escaped a second assassination attempt on September 15, 2024, while golfing at one of his courses. The 78-year-old former president credited a "rather quick golf cart" for his swift evacuation from danger.
The incident occurred when a gunman approached within 300 yards of Trump before being detected by security personnel. A Secret Service agent opened fire on the assailant, effectively neutralizing the threat. This event marks the second attempt on Trump's life in just two months, following a July incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Trump described the evacuation process: "We actually did more of get-out-of-the-area thing. And that would be on the golf carts – rather quick golf carts." He praised the Secret Service for their "very protective, very good" response, emphasizing that "they did a great job and tough."
The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was apprehended approximately 50 miles from the golf course. Authorities charged Routh with federal firearms offenses on September 16, 2024.
This incident has reignited concerns about Trump's security during his frequent golf outings. The Secret Service has long expressed apprehension about the challenges of securing large, open areas that provide potential vantage points for would-be attackers. In fact, the agency reportedly cautioned Trump about the risks of playing at his own courses shortly after he assumed the presidency in 2017.
"I try not to think about it. But people ask me that question a lot, and I try not to think about it. This was different from the first one… I mean, the gun was even more violent."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Trump maintained a lighthearted tone in a separate interview on X (formerly Twitter), joking that he "would have loved to sink that last putt." He acknowledged the need for increased security measures, stating, "We do need more people on my detail because we have 50, 60,000 people showing up to events."
The former president also noted that his phone call with President Joe Biden following the incident "couldn't have been nicer," despite previously attributing blame to the current administration for inspiring the gunman.
Interestingly, this recent event adds to the long history of assassination attempts on U.S. presidents, with over 30 documented cases since the nation's founding. The Secret Service, established in 1865 primarily to combat currency counterfeiting, has been responsible for presidential protection since 1901, following the assassination of William McKinley.
Trump expressed satisfaction with the bipartisan response to the assassination attempts, stating, "The Democrats are just as angry about Butler and this one as the Republicans because it can happen to them." He emphasized the importance of addressing the potential dangers of inflammatory rhetoric while acknowledging the nonpartisan nature of the ongoing investigation.
As the 2024 presidential campaign continues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by high-profile political figures and the crucial role of the Secret Service in ensuring their safety.