From September 2019 to March 2020, he contributed over $140 through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.
The alleged gunman, accused of targeting former President Trump while he played golf in Florida on Sunday, had previously declared on social media that « Democracy is on the ballot » this year and « we cannot lose », echoing anti-Trump sentiments similar to those expressed by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Law enforcement identified the suspect as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. Routh, who has an extensive criminal history in North Carolina, often posted about politics and has regularly donated to Democratic candidates and causes since 2019. In an April 22 post on X, Routh criticized Trump, saying, « Democracy is on the ballot, and we cannot afford to lose », according to reports.
Trump Basher Democrat Supporter
On the same day, when Biden was still running for reelection, Routh urged the 81-year-old president to focus his campaign on preserving « America’s democracy and freedom. »
He also accused Trump of wanting to « make Americans slaves under a master. » « DEMOCRACY is on the ballot and we cannot lose », he wrote, a similar slogan commonly used by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
« We cannot afford to fail », Routh continued. « The world is counting on us to show the way. »
This rhetoric mirrors the language Kamala Harris continues to use during her campaign. On August 29, she said at a rally in Savannah, Georgia, « We are fighting for our democracy. »
Earlier, on July 31, at an event in Houston, Harris remarked that « our fundamental freedoms are on the ballot and so is our democracy », echoing the same message she delivered at a sorority event that same day.
