Gunman Behind Trump Threated Offered $150K for ‘Final Solution’

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors disclosed on Monday that Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf club, had stalked the GOP presidential candidate for a month. A new court filing revealed that he offered $150,000 in a note to anyone who could “finish the job.”

In the handwritten note, Routh criticized Trump’s Middle East policy, particularly the decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. His words conveyed a chilling sense of urgency: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” he wrote. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”

Cell phone records indicated that Routh was near Trump International and Mar-a-Lago from August 18 to September 15, the day of the alleged assassination attempt. The FBI is treating this incident as an assassination attempt, following a prior incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained a minor ear injury. Notably, Trump was unharmed at his Florida location, and the U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Routh did not discharge his weapon.

After his apprehension, law enforcement officers found a “handwritten list of dates in August, September, and October 2024 and venues” where Trump had appeared or was expected to be present inside Routh’s vehicle. This discovery raised further concerns about potential future threats.

The court filing precedes Routh’s Monday appearance in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Last week, he faced charges including possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and the obliteration of a firearm’s serial number. If convicted, Routh could face up to 20 years in prison.