In a fiery critique of the Democrats, former U.S. President Donald Trump has accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of using “inflammatory rhetoric” that allegedly incited a second assassination attempt against him since July, media reports say. Speaking on Monday, Trump claimed that the suspected shooter was motivated by the Democrats’ charged language, according to CNN.
The Republican nominee’s strong remarks followed an incident at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he narrowly escaped an attack. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that the assailant “believed the rhetoric” from Biden and Harris and acted upon it. He further accused them, saying, “Their rhetoric is leading to attempts on my life, while I am the one trying to save the country. They are the ones destroying it from within and without.”
Trump pointed to remarks made by Biden and Harris, branding him a threat to democracy, and said, “They are the real danger.” He added, “They use highly inflammatory language — I could do the same, but far more effectively, yet I choose not to.”
Following the incident, Biden, Harris, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz quickly expressed relief that the alleged gunman targeting Trump had been apprehended before he could fire a shot. Harris posted on social media, “I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.” Both Biden and Harris have previously argued that Trump poses a direct threat to U.S. democracy, citing his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection as evidence. Harris has also claimed that Trump is a threat to “democracy and fundamental freedoms.”
The suspected shooter, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was found near the golf course with an AK-47-style rifle aimed through a chain-link fence, along with a GoPro camera and two backpacks. Routh fled the scene but was arrested on I-95, Fox News reported.
In response to the incident, Trump reassured supporters of his safety, stating he was “safe and well” after gunshots were fired near his location. Playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club, he issued a fundraising email to his followers saying, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but I want you to hear it from me first: I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! Thank you for your unwavering support.”
Trump’s campaign confirmed his safety following the shooting, and Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a close ally, reported that the former president was in “good spirits.”
This incident follows a previous assassination attempt on July 13, when Trump was shot in the ear at a Pennsylvania rally. The assailant in that attack killed one person and injured several others before being shot by police.
