Trump was swiftly evacuated from the golf course at Trump International in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, when the Secret Service discovered a gunman hiding in the bushes.The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was found armed with an AK-47-style rifle, a GoPro camera, and two backpacks. Routh fled but was later arrested on I-95. This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump since July.
In his interview with Fox News Digital, Trump said, “He (the gunman) believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it,” blaming their comments for fueling violence against him. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country—both from the inside and out,” he added.
‘They are a real threat’
Trump also criticised Biden and Harris for labeling him a “threat to democracy” while presenting themselves as “unity” leaders. He said, “These are people who want to destroy our country. It is called the enemy from within”. “They are the real threat,” he added.
Trump reiterated his belief that Democrats use inflammatory language, but he refrains from doing so himself. Trump warned Democrats about their rhetoric, stating, “They use highly inflammatory language. I could use it too—and much better than they can—but I choose not to.”
Democrats have accused Trump of escalating tensions and labeled him a “threat to democracy,” especially due to his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. President Biden recently said at an event that Trump incites hate, referring to his comments about Haitian immigrants. Trump also argued that Biden and Harris’ policies are weakening the US and diminishing its global respect.
Trump also reflected on his recent presidential debate with Harris, criticising the media for its biased coverage and calling David Muir “a sleaze like the rest.” He described media figures as “fools” who propagate Democratic “garbage” and “sick philosophies,” and accused them of shielding Democrats. Trump said, “The media is made up of fools who will spew [Democrats’] garbage and their sick philosophies and will protect them at all costs, and they can’t believe they get away with it.”
After the shooting incident, Trump assured his supporters of his safety in a fundraising email, writing, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also confirmed that Trump was in “good spirits.”
The second assassination attempt on Trump follows an earlier attack in July, when he was shot in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania. A gunman killed one person and injured others before being subdued by police.