Man Found Guilty of Attempted Assassination on Donald Trump

Updated on 9/23/25 at 3:45pm PT

Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course during his presidential campaign in 2024, has been found guilty on all charges.

The Details: Routh, a 59-year-old IT specialist, allegedly created a "sniper's nest" near the sixth green of Trump International Golf Club, but never fired a shot at Trump. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said they found a semiautomatic rifle with a scope and extended magazine where Routh was hiding in bushes behind a perimeter fence at the club. After the guilty verdict was read, Routh tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen, but was restrained by authorities. The charges included attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Routh will be sentenced on December 18 and faces the possibility of life in prison.

For Context: This was the second attempt on Trump's life during his second presidential campaign. Routh chose to represent himself during the trial, delivering his closing statement in third person and ranging in topics from US history to the Ukraine war, including plans to buy a boat. The judge repeatedly halted the hour-long statement for introducing new evidence. Routh ended by claiming there was no intent to kill since he had not pulled the trigger. Authorities said Routh had been "stalking" Trump and collecting both "physical and electronic evidence" ahead of the planned assassination attempt.

How the Media Covered It: Both CNN (Lean Left bias) and Fox News (Right) provided detailed coverage of the trial, focusing on the evidence presented, the dramatic moment of Routh's self-harm attempt in the courtroom, and reactions from the accused and his family. CNN emphasized the human drama in the courtroom, including emotional reactions from Routh's family. Meanwhile, Fox News provided more emphasis on the detailed evidence presented during trial, such as Routh's alleged "reconnaissance" trips to Trump's golf course and his alleged excessive stalking of Trump. Both outlets framed the trial as a significant event, reflecting the high-profile nature of the defendant and his intended victim.

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