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Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old accused of attempting an assassination in Palm Beach on September 14, 2024, allegedly left behind a chilling note revealing his intent to murder former President Donald Trump. The alleged plot, which has sent shockwaves through the nation, is tied to a handwritten message Routh purportedly entrusted to a friend before his arrest.
According to a report from Forbes, the note explicitly outlined Routh’s intent to kill Trump, while also acknowledging the failure of his attempt. In the letter, Routh is said to have confessed, “I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.” This disturbing offer to continue the plot, even after his arrest, suggests that Routh was determined to see the former president dead, regardless of his own inability to carry out the act.
The note was reportedly hidden inside a box that Routh handed over to an unidentified acquaintance prior to his arrest. Authorities only discovered its contents after Routh was apprehended following the alleged assassination attempt. The box remained unopened until after law enforcement had taken Routh into custody, raising questions about how much his close associates knew of his plans beforehand.
Routh’s alleged attempt has not only drawn attention for its audacious nature but also for the fact that, despite being a convicted felon, he was reportedly armed at the time of his arrest. Routh, who is legally barred from possessing firearms due to his prior convictions, was found in possession of an SKS rifle when arrested near the perimeter of Trump’s Palm Beach golf course. The presence of the rifle has added additional firearms-related charges to his case, which further complicates his legal situation.
Since his arrest, the focus of the charges against Routh has primarily been on his unlawful possession of the firearm. The authorities are continuing their investigation into whether Routh acted alone or whether his alleged offer of $150,000 might lead to a broader conspiracy aimed at harming the former president. Legal experts anticipate that Routh’s case could lead to more serious charges as details surrounding the assassination attempt emerge.
The seriousness of this case, involving not only a threat against a former president but also the involvement of a felon attempting to recruit others for his plan, has raised alarms within both the legal and political communities. Law enforcement officials are now working diligently to determine if there were any collaborators or if Routh’s note was simply a desperate, solitary attempt to incite others after his own failure.
As the case unfolds, the public continues to await further developments. The discovery of Routh’s note and his apparent willingness to offer money to carry out the assassination underscores the potential danger of such individuals and the continued need for heightened security for high-profile public figures.
